Traditional Knowledge and Practices, Sacred Spaces and Protected Areas: Their Success in Conserving Biodiversity

While the loss of species is a well-known phenomenon that attracts much needed attention, the loss of traditional ecological knowledge is more insidious and goes unnoticed. Indigenous communities worldwide possess knowledge that has accumulated over generations, playing an important role in conserving biodiversity. India, as a mega-biodiverse country, is home to many indigenous communities who have a close relationship with the forests and hills, is also known for its historical conservation strategies entwined in traditional beliefs.
This study explores the differences in knowledge and attitudes towards conserving biodiversity amongst different stakeholder groups living around Jim Corbett National Park and Rajaji National Park in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The results show that although village elders and community heads are unfamiliar with the term ‘biodiversity’, their way of life ensures that they care for the ecosystem. The superimposition of government policies without any tangible benefit or consultation is seen as detrimental. Alienating villagers who are the reservoirs of traditional conservation practices would damage societal networks in the area and undermine years of tried and tested techniques. Forest officers recommend biodiversity and conservation education for women and children, and highlight the lack of documentation of traditional practices and a lack of their coverage in school curricula. School children’s’ test results show the lowest scores on biodiversity amongst all science subjects. The general public’s perceptions resonated with those of forest officers, further highlighting their concern regarding rural depopulation leading to added loss of potential for preserving traditional knowledge of nature conservation.
Biodiversity not only plays a critical role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting livelihoods, it also has ethical, cultural and societal dimensions. More so, in times of environmental uncertainty when the experiences of the living past may not be directly applicable to conservation, its recognition as a tried and tested inventory could be a beneficial resource. Therefore, incorporating traditional knowledge into programs of biodiversity conservation should be explored with a sense of urgency before it is lost forever.