Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF UTTARAKHAND (INDIA) – A FUTURISTIC APPROACH

Shikha Uniyal Gairola

Abstract

The paper has looked at traditional ecological knowledge of Uttarakhand state in India. Based on a detailed study of traditional ecological knowledge that is linked with biodiversity, natural and human-managed, various possibilities for sustainable management of natural resources, with concerns for sustainable livelihood of local communities have been explored for the Garhwal and Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. It is concluded that if the development interests of local people are marginalized for a long period of time, they might adopt actions detrimental to the goal of conservation. Capitalizing on the positive dimensions of traditional knowledge and overcoming its negative dimensions through conventional science-based inputs could ease the difficult process of securing peopleÂ’s participation in environmental conservation together with the socio-economic development of local communities.