Paper
Cultural heritage of Baiga Tribe: Resource Conservation and Sustainable Development
presenters
VINAY KUMAR TIWARI
Nationality: India
Residence: Uttar Pradesh
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL TRIBAL UNIVERSITY AMARKANTAK
Presence:Online
Keywords:
Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Development
Abstract:
India is a land of varied culture and traditions. Diversity in all aspects of life makes unique Indian culture. Baiga is one of the aboriginal communities who lives in Central India. This community is very rich in its cultural heritage. These heritages are orally transmitted from one generation to another generation. They have a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted with their surrounding natural environment, which they have preserved over centuries. The Baiga tribe boasts a rich cultural heritage deeply intertwined with their natural surroundings, encompassing traditional knowledge, rituals, art forms, and sustainable practices that have sustained them for generation to generation. However, globalization poses significant threats to their way of life and the ecological resources (land, water, and forest) upon which they depend This paper explores the efforts undertaken by the Baiga tribe and external forces to conserve their cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development. It examines the strategies employed for resource conservation, including community-based initiatives, traditional ecological knowledge integration, and agricultural practices. The study will focus on multidisciplinary approach, drawing from anthropology, environmental studies, and indigenous knowledge systems. By using ethnographic research methods such as participant observation, interviews, this paper examines various aspects of Baiga lives and their culture, including their performing rituals, beliefs, ceremonies, festivals traditional ecological knowledge, and customary practices related to natural resource management and sustainable development in their surroundings. Furthermore, the research investigates the challenges faced by the Baiga Tribe in the contemporary context, such as encroachment on their traditional lands, loss of biodiversity, and socio-economic marginalization. It critically analyzes existing conservation and development initiatives involving the Baiga community, assessing their effectiveness and impact on both cultural preservation and sustainable resource management.