INTRODUCTION
Our India is full of rich cultures and diverse traditions since practising for long years with traditional knowledge as a good alternative. Our India is rich in diverse ecosystems having a dependent relationship with nature. The rise of industrialization and urbanization results in different environmental concerns As the world is struggling with different environmental concerns the question arises whether traditional knowledge is a good source for environmental concerns. The concerns in India such as heavy air pollution, water pollution, scarcity of water, disturbed ecosystems, accumulation of plastic, loss of active diversity, and climate change which is the result of deforestation.
India is growing with high technological and scientific innovations resulting in new advancement and innovative solutions for environmental concerns but giving importance to traditional knowledge as an effective source paves the way for a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. It is necessary to recognize traditional knowledge as a good alternative to solving issues or concerns. Many ecosystem environmentalists ‘opinions are that traditional knowledge is the best way rather than innovative solutions. From generation to generation it provides a vast wealth of information about nature’s environment. Traditional agricultural practices support a sustainable ecosystem. Farmers use traditional techniques to cultivate such as crop rotation, organic farming, and natural manure. These techniques not only increase soil fertility but also reduce the use of artificial fertilizers, and pesticides which cause soil pollution and harm the environment.
This traditional knowledge provides solutions for the conservation of the environment and ecosystem. Ancient communities developed ways for balancing the conservation of plants, and animals. Communities used medicinal plants for medicine and developed sustainable harvesting resulting in a sustainable environment.
[1]These communities preserved the biodiversity and ecosystem with their traditional safeguarding practices. In this, blog we will go through how traditional knowledge plays a key role in agriculture practice to sustainable future development how traditional knowledge is potent in solving concerns effectively, and its advantages of harmonious co-existence.
FEATURES OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE PROVES A BETTER ALTERNATIVE
preservation of biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture makes the environment pollution-free. Water management is one feature of traditional knowledge as earlier communities preserve the water by using various techniques such as rainwater harvesting, and water conservation. Securing the water is important for a sustainable environment.[2]
HARMONIUS RELATION WITH FOREST AND WILDLIFE – The local communities use the forest resources without harming the forest environment. They understand nature deeply. They have a harmonious relationship with nature their practice of water, forest, and land tells that these elements and humans are interdependent telling indirectly that there is a need for sustainable management of these elements. Traditional knowledge protects animals also. Earlier communities know animal behaviour and interdependent ecosystems. Through adopting their traditional knowledge we can conserve and protect the endangered species.
LOCAL WISDOM, COLLECTIVE COMMUNITIES – earlier communities participated collectively in biodiversity conservation. They shared wisdom collectively creating a responsibility towards nature. By adopting these traditional practices to modern practices we can conserve our environment with sustainability.
KNOWLEDGE PASSING DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS – Traditional practices as shaped by wisdom passed from generations. Traditional practices such as traditional farming provide an excess knowledge of crop rotation, organic farming, soil fertility increase rate, diverse crops, and natural pest control methods such as manure compost.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND TRADITIONAL MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE – Our India is rich in cultures, especially traditional knowledge plays a crucial role in conserving the ecosystem. Earlier communities deeply understood the medicinal properties of natural plants Ayurveda medicine comes from plants. This traditional knowledge gives priority to holistic healing and takes the consideration of mind, body, and soul.
[3]SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – Indian agriculture faces many challenges such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. For this problem, traditional knowledge can offer effective solutions for sustainable development with less expense. An example is organic farming which is a practice of traditional soil fertility through natural manure, biodegradable waste, and biological pest control. This traditional approach not only protects the soil but also protects the environment from harmful fertilizers and pesticides. By approaching this practice we can reduce the ecological harm.
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER – It is one of the features of traditional knowledge. As earlier communities promote knowledge sharing to younger elders. Adoption of this practice to present environmental concerns results in a sustainable environment.
LOCALIZED SOLUTIONS – Traditional knowledge provides localized solutions to specified regions. Their understanding of the local environment results in adaptive strategies. These local communities developed techniques to conserve water, protect forests, and wildlife, and manage soil erosion. Adopting these techniques in environmental management can prevent the worst climate change and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
WATER CONSERVATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT – earlier communities with their traditional knowledge have conserved the water through various sustainable techniques. One technique to conserve water is
RAINWATER HARVESTING – This is a traditional practice of local communities that store rainwater in pits and conserve groundwater resources. Adopting these practices from individual communities leads to a reduction of water scarcity and the prevention of the use of groundwater resources. Modern communities can approach traditional water management such as step wells for water management.
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND HUNTING RESTRICTIONS – indigenous communities respected and protected the forest, and wildlife and acted as wildlife sanctuaries. They put restrictions on hunting by understanding the wildlife species number to maintain a sustainable balance between needs and a good ecosystem. By adopting these traditional practices we can solve environmental concerns.[4]
THE NEED FOR HOLISTIC APPROACH – It is one of the features of traditional knowledge that there is a need to recognize a holistic approach to overcoming environmental concerns. This holistic approach involves integrating traditional knowledge with policies scientific research, and community participation. Co-understanding research between scientists and traditional knowledge holders can result in groundbreaking solutions. A tackle solution arises from the collaboration of ancient wisdom and modern expertise. The government must integrate traditional knowledge into environmental policies for sustainable development.
TRADITIONAL PRACTICE OF SACRED GROVES – Earlier communities protect and respect the environment and wildlife. They understand the relations with nature. They kill the animals for their needs only. They safeguard the endangered species of wildlife. Adopting this practice of sacred groves into modern practice results in the conservation of wildlife and then the environment
COMMUNITY-BASEDCONSERVATION – Traditional knowledge encourages community spirit and responsibility towards the environment. This traditional knowledge empowers the communities to take care of nature and the environment with conservative efforts. Communities such as village councils make decisions collectively for sustainable management of resources.
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IS POTENTIAL FOR MODERN – The mixture of modern and traditional knowledge gives solutions to present environmental concerns. Adding traditional knowledge of agricultural practices into modern agricultural practices results in good soil fertility, and production, reduces soil pollution, and maintains a sustainable environment.[5]
CHALLENGES OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Traditional knowledge provides effective solutions for environmental concerns at the same time it also faces challenges in the matter of modern environmental concerns. Economic constraints are one of the challenges as earlier communities from rural and marginal areas have fewer financial resources to develop fully sustainable practices. Insufficient modern technology and financial support limits the use of traditional knowledge.
MODERNIZATION AND URBANIZATION – people from rural migrate turbans for their livelihood which results in urbanization and modernization. The rapid increase of urbanization results in the degradation of traditional knowledge. It leads to ecological imbalance and endangered biodiversity.
INTEGRATION WITH MODERN SCIENCE AND POLICY – The collaboration between traditional knowledge communities, policymakers, and scientists results in bridging the gaps of environmental concerns with effective efforts on a sustainable environment.
METHODS FOR PRESERVING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
EMPOWERING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES – To overcome the challenges of traditional knowledge it is necessary to empower the local communities to participate actively in environment conservation efforts. These local communities must possess knowledge of their surroundings and practices that are deeply rooted in sustainability. By involving these communities in the decision-making process related to the environment and recognizing their expertise in the environment India can have a good approach to environmental governance.
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMMES OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE – Educational institutions a crucial role in promoting traditional knowledge as a better source of environmental concerns. Through the activities of curriculum conducting workshops on traditional knowledge, awareness campaigning programs can result in the sharing of knowledge with future generations.[6]
ADAPTION OF TRADITIONAL POLICIES INTO NEW POLICIES – Traditional knowledge practices can be recognized by adapting the old practices of traditional knowledge into new environment policies for a sustainable environment and ecosystem.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE – protecting traditional knowledge is an important concern. India implements the traditional knowledge digital library for protecting traditional knowledge rights from patent claims. Even more, measures are to be taken to safeguard traditional knowledge.
THE COMPLEXITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN INDIA
Our India is rich in traditional culture having a large population with landscapes that face a high level of environmental concerns. These concerns not only affect the people’s health but also the nation’s Biodiversity and ecosystem. Some of the concerns in India are
AIR AND WATER POLLUTION – Air pollution is the highest concern mainly in highly populated urban areas. Industries emissions of poisonous gases, vehicles, and burning of fossil fuels damage the air quality. As per Wo, the World Health Organization reports out of 2the 0 most populated cities,14 cities are in India. Air pollution results in respiratory diseases, and disability to born ones.
DEFORESTATION – deforestation is a major cause of environmental concerns. Cutting of trees, and forests, rapid industrialization, and urbanization results in deforestation. It leads to ecological imbalance, a threat to wildlife organization species, climatic changes, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and the greenhouse effect through the accumulation of greenhouse gases.
WASTE MANAGEMENT – India produces lots of waste every day and it becomes a hard challenge for the management of waste. Improper disposal of plastic, and their waste a, and a lack of effective waste management systems lead to air, water, and oil pollution. The heavy use of plastic results in the accumulation of this waste with land waste and endangering Marine species.[7]
WATER SCARCITY – water scarcity is a major problem, especially in drought and dry seasons in India The reasons for the water atmosphere are rapid population growth, changes in climate conditions, and proper management of water resources.
This scarcity affects not only agriculture but also the people of India in drinking water and sanitation facilities.
INCREASING POPULATION – It is one of concern of the environment as day to day the growth of population increases results in a shortage of resources Using other resources leads to disturbing the nature and environment. If the growth of the population continues then it is very difficult to sustain the environment.
GLOBAL WARMING – It is one of the major environmental concerns because increasing poisonous gases in the atmosphere lead to high temperatures on Earth called global warming. It results in the melting of the Himalayas and increases sea levels which leads to tsunamis, and cyclones.
CONCLUSION
India’s traditional knowledge is deeply rooted in diverse cultures providing an alternative source for environmental issues. Traditional knowledge preserves the ecosystem and biodiversity with sustainability. It acts as a good alternative for sustainable development. Incorporating traditional knowledge with modern science and technology leads to a pollution-free environment. The combination of tradition and science results in harmony with nature for the environment. India’s environmental concerns want solutions. This can be obtained by incorporating traditional knowledge. This develops localized solutions and protects the ecosystem’s biodiversity. India can embrace a green future by taking into consideration both scientific research and traditional practice. Traditional knowledge is a good approach to environmental issues for the future. Recognizing traditional knowledge as a better alternative and taking into mainstream environmental policies pave the way for harmonious co-existence between humans and the environment. Traditional knowledge holds promise in addressing environmental issues. This emphasis is on traditional agriculture practice, preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem, forest and wildlife conservation, preservation of natural resources, sustainable environment, traditional medical knowledge, localized solutions, wisdom collective communities, water conservation, and sustainable water management for the protection of the environment. Consequently, knowledge plays a key role in addressing environmental concerns as a better alternative.
Author(s) Name: Kummari Mounika (Dr.B.R. Ambedkar College Of Law, Andhra University, Andhra Pradesh)
Reference(s):
[1] Manuel pardo-de-Santayana, Manuel J.macia,’The benefits of traditional knowledge ‘[2015] PL 518,487-488
Dr. Suri Babu Golla, ’Traditional knowledge definition, scope and importance, protection, characteristics, nature and types of traditional knowledge'(SlideShare, 2020)< https://www.slideshare.net/gollasuribabu/traditional-knowledge-definition-scope-and-importance-protection-characteristics-nature-and-types-of-traditional-knowledge> accessed 9th December 2020
[2] Jane Watson, ‘Traditional and Alternative Medicine’ (2022) IOMC <https://www.iomcworld.org/open-access/traditional-and-alternative-medicine-90809.html accessed 28th March 2022>.
‘Article-8(J)-Traditional knowledge, Innovations and practices’(Convention on biological diversity )<https://www.cbd.int/traditional/intro.shtml>
Coni Arevalo, ‘Protecting the world’s wild animals through indigenous knowledge’(faunalytics , 2023)< https://faunalytics.org/protecting-the-worlds-wild-animals-through-indigenous-knowledge/> accessed 18 January 2023
[3]Jennifer Sumner, ’Protecting and Promotion indigenous knowledge: environment adult education and organic agriculture ‘[2016] PL207,223
‘What are the traditional methods of water conservation?’(BYJU’S )< https://byjus.com/ias-questions/what-are-the-traditional-methods-of-water-conservation/?>
Teshager Ali,Solomon Belay,Sutuma Edessa, ‘Indigenous knowledge transfer: the case of traditional medicine and agricultural practices ‘[2022] PI 2227
[4] Madhav Gadgil, ‘Sacred Groves: An Ancient Tradition of nature conservation'(SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN 2018)<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sacred-groves-an-ancient-tradition-of-nature-conservation/> accessed 1st December 2018
Boni Amin Laskar, ‘Traditional Beliefs Help Wildlife Conservation ‘[2011] 77(5-6),235
Krystyna Swiderska, Conserving and Valuing Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity (first published 2008,1st edn)12
Charles Dhewa, ’Modern Science needs traditional knowledge ‘(SciDevNet ,2011)< https://www.scidev.net/global/opinions/modern-science-needs-traditional-knowledge-1/> accessed 6th April 2011
[5]Cecilia Arjona-Garcia, Jose Blancas, Xavier Lopez-Medellin, ‘How does urbanization affect perceptions and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants?’[2021]AN 48
Buddhadeb Chaudhuri, ‘Science in society: challenges and opportunities for indigenous knowledge in the present day context ‘[2015] P 78,85
‘Preserving Traditions, empowering communities: indigenous knowledge startups thrive ‘(Faster Capital, 2023)< https://fastercapital.com/content/Preserving-Traditions–Empowering-Communities–> accessed 22nd November 2023
[6] ‘What is traditional knowledge and how to protect it?’(IPTSE ,2020)< https://iptse.com/what-is-traditional-knowledge-and-how-to-protect-it/> accessed 26 October 2020
Martina Igini, ‘Five biggest environment issues in India in 2023’(EARTH.ORG ,2023)<https://earth.org/environmental-issues-in-india/> accessed 30 April 2023
[7] Amy C. Fuller, Michael O. Harhay, ’Population growth, Climate Change and water scarcity in South West United States’ [2010] P 249,252
Jeff Turrentine, ’Global warming 101’(NRDC, 2021)<https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101#warming > accessed 7th April 2021
