Documentation Of Traditional Knowledge Research Articles

Shaping the sacred along the Silk Roads: the millenary artistic tradition of making “monumental terracruda sculptures”

This paper presents a depth revision of the technological, material, and symbolic knowledge of what we advocate to be identified as “monumental terracruda sculpture” along the Silk Roads. Through a highly interdisciplinary approach, combining a) the latest results of archaeometric analysis carried out on Buddhist examples, b) the documentation of traditional knowledge in making terracruda sculptures in Buddhist and Hindu religious practices, and c) the systematic review of the archaeological and anthropological literature on this topic, this work brings new evidence for proposing the existence of a common pattern of elaboration of monumental terracruda sculptures, connecting traditional Buddhist and Hinduist artworks with a millenary artistic tradition that uses raw earth as the preferred material for the representation of the sacred. The recognition of this common pattern in the production of monumental terracruda sculptures led to the questioning of the prevailing archaeological narrative of a Hellenistic origin of the technique as well as the causes of its popularity within Buddhism from the 4th century CE onwards. Based on the qualitative and quantitative evidence discussed in this paper, new interpretations about the origin and spread of this cultural expression are finally proposed. Finally, the need for future research that takes a systemic view of the subject is advocated, proposing a multidisciplinary vision that integrates archaeology, archaeometry, ethnographic research and the study of ancient religious texts.

Documentation of Ethno-Orthopedic Healing Process in Gurap, Hooghly District, West Bengal

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to document the existing traditional knowledge of the medicinal plants for bone setting health care practices and to analyse the present treatment process and identifying the medicinal plants as key factor of ethno-orthopedic healing system in Gurap area in Hooghly district of West Bengal. Data were collected from the patients as well as practitioners through questionnaires and personal interviews to know about the general information, orthopaedic problems, treatment process, restrictions and the usefulness of the practice through the traditional knowledge and medicinal plant. The predominance of rural folk (86%) indicates the importance of the traditional bone setters as healthcare providers in rural areas. Most of the patients (96%) were satisfied with this treatment. The plant also identified through the present study namely Ipomoea obscura that can be obtained patent and preserve for future generation. The study has drawn upon focuses on the documentation of traditional knowledge, valuable medicinal plant and treatment process adopted in the study area, which may help to the other communities as a medical resource for further use. Library can acts as resource providers of such authentic medicine.

Medicinal Herbs used by Indigenous people of Tinsukia District, Assam, India

The present investigation is an effort of a field survey of the medicinal herbs used by the indigenous people of Tinsukia District in Assam, North East India. Indigenous people like Assamese, Tea tribe, Singpho and Nepali inhabit in this region. A total of 56 species belonging to 34 families and 52 genera were included. Different plant parts are used to cure various ailments like stomach disorders, gynecological problems, cough, fistula, kidney stone, urinary infection, etc. Out of 34 families, Lamiaceae represented the highest number and percentage of medicinal plants (7 species, 12.96 %). The highest number of medicinal herbs are used by Assamese people (47 plants). The study thus, highlights the potentials of the ethnobotanical research and the need for the documentation of traditional knowledge relating to the medicinal plant utilization for the better benefit of mankind.

Feed plants, ethnoveterinary medicine, and biocultural values: insights on the Luchuan pig from Hakka communities in China

BackgroundThe Luchuan pig is an indigenous breed from Luchuan County, China, with cultural and genetic significance. However, traditional knowledge and conservation status have not been systematically documented.MethodsUsing ethnobiological methods, we surveyed 72 Luchuan pig farmers in 7 townships during 2021–2023. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were conducted to document traditional knowledge and management practices.ResultsThe locals reported 51 plant species used as pig feed, with 30 wild species. Growth-stage-specific feeding and seasonal adjustment practices were documented. We recorded 62 ethnoveterinary plant uses, mainly for treating pigs' heat stress and skin conditions. Luchuan pigs play central roles in local Hakka customs, rituals, and cuisine. Additonally, the new ecological farming models minimize the environmental impacts to the local community. However, there are still some challenges remained for conserving and promoting Luchuan pigs.ConclusionsThe Luchuan Hakka people possess rich traditional knowledge and management experience in raising Luchuan pigs. Our study provides extensive documentation of traditional knowledge and recommends integrating cultural and genetic aspects for sustaining this biocultural heritage. Findings can inform initiatives supporting local breed conservation globally.

Ethno-medicinal plants of indigenous people: A case study in Khatling valley of Western Himalaya, India

Background: Khatling valley is an unexplored and remote region located in the Uttarakhand state of Indian Himalaya, the area possesses rich medicinal flora, and local inhabitants using these plants since generations. The majority of primary health care depends upon traditional medicine due to the unavailability of a modern medicinal facility, however, the identity of medicinal plants is limited to traditional healers or elder people in the region thus the documentation of such important medicinal knowledge is a dire need for sustainable use. Methods: An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out in this region from 2018 to 2020. Ethnomedicinal data were collected from 82 informants through semi-structured questionnaires and group conversations. To check the popular and frequently used species URs and Informant consensus factor (ICF) were calculated for the collected data. Results: The present study recorded 68 plants from 63 genera and 35 families utilized for treating various disorders. The dominant families were Asteraceae (7) and Rosaceae (6) followed by Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Polygonaceae, Zingiberiaceae (4 species each). The majority of the useful plants were herbaceous (78%) followed by trees (12%), shrubs (9%), and climbers were the least in number (1%). Most of the plant parts used were leaves and roots 25% each, followed by rhizome, aerial part and tuber (9% each), seeds, fruits, and whole plant (5% each), bark (4%) while, stem, flower, resin, and the bulb has less proportion (1% each). Five drug formulations were used by the local inhabitants of which paste was the most common (32%) followed by powder (31%), decoction (19%), raw (12%), and juice (6%). Some important medicinal plants based on use reports (URs) were Valeriana jatamansi Jones (300 URs and 5 uses), Aconitum lethale Griff. (275 URs and 5 uses), Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC (250 URs and 4 uses), Solanum nigrum (L.) (234 URs and 5 uses), Paeonia emodi Royle (230 URs and 4 uses). ICF values ranged between 0.96 and 1. The highest ICF value (1) was recorded for mental disorders (ICD code F) and epilepsy (ICD code G) while a minimum of 0.96 was recorded for blood problems (ICD code I). Conclusion: Ethnomedicinal plants having high URs and ICF can be a good source for novel phytoconstituents and novel drug discoveries, apart from this documentation of traditional knowledge will be helpful for the new generation, researchers, and policymakers for sustainable use of the species. Keywords: Ethnomedicine; Indigenous knowledge; Medicinal plants; Remote region

Documentation of Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal Plants to Treat Respiratory Diseases in Yem Special Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Respiratory diseases, which are caused by viruses and bacteria affect the upper and lower respiratory tract, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, accounting for approximately 5.8 million deaths worldwide. This study attempts to document some of the most selected medicinal plants found in the study area with respect to respiratory diseases infections. The study was conducted in Yem special woreda of which three kebeles namely (Angery, Kerewa, and shemona metelo). The kebeles were selected purposely based availability of medicinal plants. This study recorded more than 31 plant-derived medicines to cure various respiratory diseases and also corona virus-related diseases. Other questionnaire based results revealed that almost all 90 (98.9%) of the respondents know the causative agents of respiratory diseases. Majority of the communities 43 (86.8%) want to transfer their traditional knowledge to everyone and their source of knowledge for traditional healing is from their father, whereas 11 (12.1%) of them from their mother, 6 (6.6%) from their grandmother and father and 3 (3.3%). Thus, the government should strengthen the capacity of traditional healers with training, financial support and improve means of protecting their intellectual property rights. Moreover, detailed study on phytochemical analysis of these medicinal plants should be promoted so as to modernize the effort of these traditional healers.

Identification Of Different Indigenous Technical Knowledge Application In Agriculture And Allied Sector In Some Selected Areas Of West Bengal

Traditional knowledge or Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is the knowledge that people in a given community have developed over time, and continue to develop. It is based on experience. Often tested over long period of use, adopted to local use and environment, dynamic and changing, and lays emphasis on minimizing risks rather than maximizing profits. The studies conducted on three blocks (Mahammad Bazar, Sainthia, Bolpur Sriniketan block) of Birbhum district for documentation of traditional knowledge in different sector. Ninety respondents from nine villages are randomly selected and simple random sampling techniques followed for this study. The data were collected through direct observation, group interview, tapping the knowledge of elderly women and young boys. The traditional knowledge is documented in agriculture, animal husbandry and allied sector. In agricultural sector traditional knowledge are practiced from seed germination to post harvest management. In animal husbandry traditional knowledge is used from milk production to disease control and traditional implements were also catalogued with their use and status and medicinal plans which are used in formulation of different ethno medicinal preparation for curing various types of diseases and ailments. This indigenous knowledge regarded as environment friendly, ecological sound, location specific and cost effective. Farmers are using these different technologies through generation-to-generation and few of them have learned to use these technologies from the neighbours. Studies on ITK shows the way for incorporating ITK and scientific knowledge for development of eco-friendly technologies for sustainable agriculture and for development of technologies that would be more need based, better problem solving, locally applicable, easily acceptable and more convincing to the farmers.

Ethnobotanical Study of Traditional Food in Newar Community of Kathmandu Valley, Central Nepal

Socio-culture plays a significant role in conservation of indigenous knowledge and ethnic food in Nepal. Ethnic food makes the basis of diversified food which contributes to improve the health, besides food and nutrition securities. Documentation of plant based traditional food is crucial to enhance intercultural and intergenerational relations. Most of the traditional foods are prepared to celebrate rituals and culture using plants and plant products. This study gives a general overview of plant based traditional foods and rituals of Newar ethnic group inhabiting in Kathmandu Valley, Central Nepal. Data were gathered through ethnobotanical inventory, through interviews, participatory observations at festivals and ceremonies to document plants type, types of traditional food, consumption of traditional food in rituals, in addition to the challenges involved for indigenous knowledge preservation. Altogether 54 plant species were used for preparation of 45 types of traditional food. These traditional foods are consumed during celebration of more than 25 rituals and cultures of Newar ethnic group. Wild plants such as Blumea lacera, Centella asiatica, Choerospondias axillaris, Urtica dioica, etc. in particular occurred close to the areas where Newar community live and are mostly used for traditional food preparation. Other important plants were supplied by cultivation (i.e., domesticated species) and through markets. The young generation showed little interest in the consumption of traditional food. There is a great challenge to conserve traditional food and the related culture. Documentation of traditional knowledge about ethnic foods and their consumption in rituals will contribute for sustainable conservation of traditional food and culture for future generations.

Phytochemical analysis and ethnomedicinal uses of Oroxylum indicum in Nepal

Background: Plant natural products have a long history of usage as a source of therapeutic agents. Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz is a prominent therapeutic plant in South Asia, comprising several phytochemicals with substantial medical significance, including the treatment of COVID-19. Methods: Herein, we documented the medicinal importance of O. indicum throughout Nepal using a questionnaire-based survey and and validated the findings through biochemical analyses. Results: All fractions (water, hexane and dichloromethane) obtained from different extraction solvents revealed a high abundance of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and carbohydrates that is consistent with its vast ethnomedicinal uses generated through the questionnaire survey. Conclusions: In a nutshell, O. indicum is a promising medicinal plant based on our current experiment, and more research on ethnomedicinal and plant biochemical capabilities might lead to new scientific avenues and novel drug discoveries. It further paves the scope of documentation of traditional knowledge for the benefit of local and national communities. Keywords: antioxidant activity, COVID-19, drug discovery, Oroxylum indicum.

Ethnobotany in Iturbide, Nuevo León: The Traditional Knowledge on Plants Used in the Semiarid Mountains of Northeastern Mexico

Iturbide is in the northeast of Mexico and has a rich native and exotic flora; however, there are no ethnobotanical records, therefore, it requires attention in the documentation of traditional knowledge and practices of its botanical resources. In 2021, twelve field trips were carried out, applying 110 semi-structured interviews. Plant samples were collected, identified and deposited in an herbarium. We used the Chi-square test to compare the anthropocentric categories concerning others reported in Mexico. To determine the cultural importance, three ethnobotanical indices were applied (UVI, ICF and FL). We recorded 250 species with ethnobotanical implications associated with 121 genera and 83 families, including 140 native and 110 exotic species. The most common plant families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Fabaceae. The main categories of uses were: ornamental, medicinal and food. The species with the highest UVI values were Lepidium peruvianum, Ocimum basilicum and Salvia rosamrinus. The multifunctionality of the native and exotic flora demonstrates the extensive knowledge associated with botanical resources. For example, the role of ornamental plants, with a direct impact on human well-being, the resilience of healers and traditional inhabitants by using different species for the treatment of various ailments or indigenous edible plants in the daily diet.

Ethnobotanical exploration of medicinal plants for the treatment of migraine in Dakshina Kannada district of Western Ghats, Karnataka, India

Migraine is a recurrent neurological disorder of humans affecting approximately 15% of the population globally. It frequently appears in childhood, particularly around puberty and affects women more than men. Traditional medicine has a key role in primary health care system of people residing in remote and rural regions. This study has been carried out in Western Ghats of Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka state, India during 2018 - 2021 to document ethno-medicinal plants used by traditional practitioners to treat migraine. Most people prefer herbal folk therapies against this chronic disorder. Ethnobotanical study was carried out by repeated field visits. Information pertaining to the migraine was gathered by open-ended discussions with local traditional healers through a semi-structured questionnaire. All together 67 key informants shared their unique method of treatment against migraine. A total of 53 plant species belonging to 29 families are being used by local folk practitioners. Data was analyzed by quantitative tools like Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Family importance value (FIV) to compare the importance of reported plants. Leaves are the mostly used plant parts in the preparation of herbal formulation. Internal mode of application was more prevalent to treat migraine. Documentation of traditional knowledge of using plants in primary health care systems will be necessary in order to face new challenges by the modern medical world.

Traditional knowledge

Traditional Knowledge (TK) as the name suggests refers to the long-standing traditions and various practices of the indigenous communities. Traditional knowledge embodies culture and the knowledge of the community which is passed (mostly orally) from one generation to another. Traditional knowledge is not static; it evolves with these communities. India is a store house of abundant knowledge about the traditional value of forest products. Because of factors like loss of habitat, environmental degradation coupled with unendurable ways of cultivation and harvesting, it is estimated that around 12 % of 6000 species of potential medicinal plants is under threat. The various suggestions that have been forwarded in India to protect traditional knowledge are documentation of traditional knowledge, innovative patent system and a sui generis system of protecting traditional knowledge. It is also hinted that documentation of traditional knowledge can help combat bio piracy. If traditional knowledge is documented, then information of art of inventions based on such knowledge will be available to patent examiners all over the world. Not only this, through documentation it is possible to trace the local communities with whom there can be a benefit sharing from exploitation of such traditional knowledge.

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by ethnic people of Gechi District, South West Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract. Desalegn A, Egigu MC, Sasikumar JM. 2022. Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants used by ethnic people of Gechi District, South West Oromia, Ethiopia. Nusantara Bioscience 14: 104-116. This study recorded medicinal plants used by ethnic people of Gechi District, Buno Bedele zone of South West Oromia region, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 386 informants through semi-structured interviews, guided field observations, and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and quantitative ethnobotanical indices were used to analyze the data. Moreover, an independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were employed to analyze the effect of Socio-demographic traits on traditional medicinal knowledge. The study documented 70 medicinal plant species belonging to 61 genera and 36 families. The majority of the plants (83.7%) were used to treat human ailments. Asteraceae (7 species) mostly represented the family. Most of the plants collected were shrubs (32.9 %), followed by herbs (25.7%). Leaves (42.3%) represented the highest part for remedy preparation. The dominant route of administration of remedies was Oral (56%). Jaccard’s similarity index (JI) showed a high degree of similarities (JI = 0.75-0.91) among the Kebeles. The highest Informant consensus factor (ICF) value (0.73) was detected for the sensory organs category illnesses. Juniperus procera Hochst. ex. Endl. was observed with the highest fidelity level (FL) index value (0.97) for the wound. The highest preference ranking (PR) was adjudged to Ruta chalepensis L. for stomach ache. Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. was top-ranked as a multipurpose plant in direct matrix ranking (DR). It was observed that the Traditional Knowledge (TK) of medicinal plants was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by gender, age, and educational level of the people. Therefore, our documentation of TK on medicinal plants possessed by the people of the studied area could help preserve their knowledge for extensive use.

Inventorization and Consensus Analysis of Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Knowledge Among the Local People in Eastern India: Perception, Cultural Significance, and Resilience.

Livestock is the main backbone of the rural economy of an agriculture-based country like India. To mitigate the economic loss due to livestock’s poor performance and illness, folk phytotherapy for livestock healthcare is still actively practiced in India. Literature survey revealed that the laterite region of eastern India, characterized by its cultural, ethnic, and biological diversities, as well as topographical uniqueness, lacks comprehensive information on ethnoveterinary medicinal knowledge. The objective of the present study includes documentation of traditional knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) from the northern laterite region in eastern India. Ethnoveterinary medicinal data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, free listing, and focus group discussions. The factor for informants’ consensus (Fic), fidelity level (FL), and cultural value (CV) index have been employed for quantitative analyses. Jaccard index (JI) was used to check the knowledge similarity. Altogether, 1,234 citations were made by 132 participants. In total, 232 recorded ethnomedicinal species are used for preparing 306 remedies to treat 79 health disorders of livestock. Recorded species are distributed in 92 families, and Fabaceae is identified as the most medicinally diversified. Uses of 24 angiospermic taxa, one pteridophyte, and two fungal species were exclusively new to the existing inventory of Indian traditional ethnoveterinary medicine. In 20 disease categories, the informant consensus (Fic) value ranges from 0.4 to 0.83. According to the FL value and use-mention factor, 23 EVM plants have been identified as the most important species in the respective disease categories. Value of CV index highlighted nine species as culturally most significant (CV ≥ 0.0025 and frequency of citation ≥20) in the laterite region of eastern India. A large extent of recorded data are quite worthy for the Indian folk veterinary medicinal repository. A handful of new data reported here and statistically justified culturally most significant species will provide the golden opportunity for bioprospecting research.

Traditional knowledge of medicinal flora among tribal communities of Buner Pakistan

BackgroundThis study provides a comprehensive documentation of traditional knowledge about plant based recipes used for the treatment of human ailments by tribal communities of Buner Pakistan. The aim of the study was to understand the dynamics and threats to traditional knowledge (TK) and to investigate the potential implications of this knowledge in future economic development in the region in light of China-Pak economic corridor. MethodsThe studies were conducted from 2016 to 2020 in 36 major villages of district Buner Pakistan, via 137 key informants, using semi-structured interviews, open ended questionnaires, group discussions, and transit walks. The data were analyzed using different quantitative indices including Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use value (UV), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Relative importance index (RI) and Cultural importance index (CI). ResultsThis study revealed 282 plant species belonging to 94 families, including one fungal taxon, two ferns and 5 gymnosperms used as ethnomedicine. Herbs were the dominant growth form (57.80% spp), leaves formed the most used part (41% spp) and most of the rcipes were prepared in boiling water (55.67%). The most important medicinal plant families on the basis of use reports (UR) were Fabaceae (306 UR), Lamiaceae (256 UR), Rosaceae (210 UR), Amaranthaceae (180 UR) and Asteraceae (159 UR). Twelve different disease categories were identified, among which gastrointestinal diseases (1020 UR), and cardio-vascular diseases (972 UR) formed the largest categories. The important species on the basis of use reports included Berberis lyceum, Azadirachta indica, Prunus dulcis, Skimmia laureola, and Mentha longifolia with 80, 64, 62, 58, and 55 use reports respectively. These species also scored highest cultural importance values (CI) of 0.58, 0.47, 0.45, 0.42, and 0.40 respectively. On the basis of relative frequency of citation (RFC) values, the top five species were Medicago polymorpha 0.51, Skimmia laureola 0.35, Berberis lycium 0.33, Justicia adhatoda 0.30, and Ziziphus oxyphylla 0.29. Some interesting novel uses of plants included, the use of Heracleum candicans leaves against highblood, Arisaema jacquemontii as aphorodesiac, and Dysphania ambrosioides for stomach pain. ConclusionThis study reported many new uses, and novel medicinal plant species (Bombax ceiba, Mimosa himalayana, Lycopus eropaeus, Salix acmophylla, Corydalis cornuta, Galium aparine) for the first time from the region. The study concluded that mountainous rural people of Buner possess a rich heritage of ethnobotanical knowledge, which was not previously documented comprehensively. This study provides a base for further pharmacological and phytochemical evaluation of medicinal flora.

Ethnobotanical study of Mandi Ahmad Abad, District Okara, Pakistan.

This study hypothesized that native people have unique traditional knowledge of plant resources in the rural areas and basic objective was the documentation of this valuable inheritance. Ethnobotanical data was collected from a remote rural area of Mandi Ahmad Abad, Union council number NA-144 Tehsil Depalpur District Okara, Pakistan. A total of 94 informants were randomly interviewed to collect data about local names of plant species, mode of administration, recipes and ailments, and ethnobotanical uses through semi-structured questionnaire, interviews and group discussion methods. The collected data was statistically analyzed by calculating use value (UV), frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), factor of informant consensus (FIC), family importance value, and relative importance (RI). This study is also compared with ethnobotanical literature by using Jaccard’s index (JI) for similarity analysis. A total of 126 species belonging to 52 families were documented. The Poaceae (13spp.), Leguminosae (12spp.), Solanaceae (10spp.) and Cucurbitaceae (10spp.) were dominant families. Highest used value (UV = 0.22) was obtained for Azadirachta indica. The minimum used value (UV) was showed by Alhagi maurorum, Eclipta prostrata, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Solanum virginianum and Trianthema potulacastrum (UV = 0.01). Hepatitis, stomach ulcer, bowel disorders, urinary problems, psoriasis, cancer, and leucoderma were the most treated ailments with ICF value of 1, followed by leucorrhea (ICF: 0.89), and vomiting (ICF: 0.86). The highest Jaccard’s similarity index value (JI = 0.329) showed that plant species reported in our study was more similar with Arid regions of Northern Punjab, Pakistan. This novel ethnobotanical report concluded that traditional knowledge about use of medicinal plants is decreasing due to allopathic medicines. Immediate steps should be taken for conservation and documentation of traditional knowledge of plants especially those having medicinal properties.

Preliminary Studies on Species Diversity of Coastal Bivalves and the Traditional Knowledge on Bivalve Fishery in Sedili Kechil, Johor

Research on bivalves in Malaysia and documentation on bivalve fishery is still lacking in the recent years. Study on the diversity of bivalves will help contribute to the Malaysian database and the documentation of traditional knowledge on bivalve fishery will prevent the knowledge from going extinct. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the species diversity of bivalves present in Sedili Kechil, Johor and also to gain access to the traditional knowledge of the fishermen involved in bivalve fishery practiced in the area. Bivalves were handpicked randomly throughout the coastal region and a total of 10 respondents make up the sample size of this study. The traditional knowledge was gathered with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire through a combination of non-participant observation and in-depth interview method. This study has collected the first record of species of bivalves in Sedili Kechil. The bivalves’ diversity in Sedili Kechil is medium to low diversity by using Shannon Wiener Index (1.26) and Pielou’s Index of Evenness (0.41) and the traditional knowledge is documented regarding the variety of habitat preferences, fishery seasons, and exploitation and preservation methods. It is discovered that most bivalves occupy sandy substrates with four periods of availability and with different exploitation methods with respective to species. No preservation method is practiced by the villagers. The association with abiotic components and non-abiotic components and preference timing and depth for bivalve fishery are also noted. This record on species diversity and the documentation of traditional knowledge is hoped to be contributing to the Malaysian database and become preliminary data for future research.

Fishing techniques and gears developed by tribal communities around Bargi Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh, India

Traditional knowledge (TK) plays very important role in the millions of people around the world. There is immense need of documentation of traditional knowledge especially in countries rich in biodiversity, such as India. Bargi is one of the major dam constructed on river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Local communities use various fishing methods since time memorable. Dam changes ecology and hydrology of river. Tribal communities have adapted their fishing techniques to these changes and have also developed new techniques. Fishing technique described is this paper practiced around Bargi Reservoir. Six type of crafts and different gears were encountered during the two years of seasonal survey.

Diversity of plants used for non-medicinal purposes by the traditional communities of Coastal Karnataka, India

Abstract. Bhandary JM. 2021. Diversity of plants used for non-medicinal purposes by the traditional communities of Coastal Karnataka, India. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 106-114. The Coastal Karnataka region of India, comprising of two districts called Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, is ethnobotanically prosperous owing to its floristic and cultural diversity. This is justified because many ethnobotanical studies have been reported from this area. However, all these studies are concerned only with documentation of traditional knowledge and medicinal plant diversity; the various non-medicinal uses of plants have not received any scientific attention so far. Therefore, this study was undertaken to document the diversity of plants used for edible, piscicidal, and fodder purposes and make different household materials. Plant specimens and associated traditional information were gathered from the knowledgeable elders from other areas’ different indigenous tribal and non-tribal communities. Prior-informed, open-ended interviews, and discussions were conducted with 32 purposively chosen informants in the field during different seasons of the study period. The botanical identity of the plants mentioned as applicable by informants was confirmed with the help of local flora, and enumeration of plant species was done based on the user category. A total of 125 species of angiosperm plants used for non-medicinal purposes by different traditional and tribal communities were documented during the present study. Among them, 116 species were used for any of the above four studied purposes, and only nine species were used for two different purposes. As many as 76 species were used for edible purposes, 18 species as piscicides, 21 species as fodder plants, and 19 species used to make baskets, mats, and other traditional artifacts used in daily lives. This study confirmed that the traditional communities of the study locality have considerable traditional knowledge about non-medicinal uses of local plants. However, the practical use of wild plants for the studied traditional purposes has gradually decreased due to a lack of interest in the newer generation and the availability of modern alternatives.

India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library and the Politics of Patent Classifications

This article analyzes India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) as a potential intervention in the administration of patent law. The TKDL is a database including a vast body of traditional medical knowledge from India, aiming to prevent the patenting and misappropriation of that knowledge. This article contextualizes the TKDL in relation to documentation theory as well as to existing research on the uses of databases to protect traditional knowledge. It explores the TKDL’s potential consequences for India’s traditional medical knowledge and the wider implications that traditional knowledge databases can have for the safeguarding of traditional knowledge in general. The article concludes that on the one hand the TKDL bridges the gap between the main branches of Indian traditional medicine and the formal knowledge system of International Patent Classifications. Furthermore, it has also inspired revisions of the International Patent Classification system, which makes it better adapted to incorporate traditional medical knowledge. On the other hand, critical research on traditional knowledge documentation argues that traditional knowledge databases, like the TKDL, can decontextualize the knowledge they catalogue and dispossess its original owners. The TKDL, however, also fits into a national, Indian agenda of documenting and modernizing traditional medicine that predates the formation of the TKDL by several decades and challenges the dichotomy between traditional and scientific knowledge systems that originally motivated the formation of the TKDL.