Traditional Knowledge In Bidoversity Conservation

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Introduction

Knowledge has always been transferred from older generation to younger generations since time immemorial, and in this regard biodiversity is no exception. The knowledge of the hunters and gatherer societies, cultivators, and fishers to mention a few, have developed knowledge specific to their field of operation. There have been sources laying down the importance of the traditional knowledge, as pre-scientific traditional systems of management have been the main means by which the traditional societies have managed natural resources for millennia . Thus biodiversity conservation holds primary importance for sustainable use of the natural resources especially at a time which when the common resources which should be judiciously exploited are being exploited in arbitrary manner.
The Role of Traditional Knowledge in Bidoversity Conservation

The term traditional knowledge is very often substituted for the word Indigenous knowledge considering the fact that, it was the indigenous communities which were engaged in hunter gathering, fisheries in their respective regions. As per the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor, 1992, Indigenous knowledge has been defined as, “The local knowledge held by the indigenous people or the local knowledge uniquely by a given culture or society.”
The World Commission on Environment and Development has defined conservation in a way not restricted to just preserving rather using the natural resources in way through which the human resources benefit, but, the same should not lead to exhaustion of natural resources for the future generations. Considering the fact that, traditional knowledge has existed primarily in the exploitation of natural resources; the same can assist the modern da...

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...Varieties and Farmer’s Rights Act, 2001, The Biological Diversity Act, 2002, The Patent (Second Amendment) Act, 2002.
Contribution of Traditional Knowledge in Healthcare

Traditional knowledge has been evolved in one of the most efficacious manner by the generations all around the world. India for thousands of years has been using plants for health issues.
“Due to its strong cultural roots the Indian systems of medicine is still vibrant and dynamic and central core for providing the health, security and livelihood needs of the bulk of India’s people particularly the rural and tribal communities .”
As per World Health Organization (WHO) around 80% of the world’s population used indigenous systems of healthcare at some point of time in history . Convention of Biological diversity in its preamble also lays the importance of traditional knowledge in terms of healthcare.

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