INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
Dr. Sudarshan Kumar
Management Faculty, IIIT Bhagalpur
Unit - V
PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF INDIAN
KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS (IKS)
Approaches for Conservation and Management of Nature and Bio-resources:
1. Recognition and Documentation of Traditional Knowledge
Collecting and recording indigenous practices related to agriculture, medicine, water
conservation, and biodiversity management.
Oral traditions, rituals, and folklore must be preserved through digital archiving,
publications, and local storytelling programs.
2. Community-Centered Conservation
Empowering local communities and tribal groups as primary custodians of bio-
resources.
Strengthening traditional institutions like gram sabhas, forest committees, and
village elders to manage natural resources sustainably.
3. Sacred Groves and Cultural Practices
Protecting sacred groves (Devrais), sacred rivers, mountains, and temples
associated with conservation.
Traditional reverence towards trees, animals, and water bodies helps maintain
ecological balance without external enforcement.
4. Sustainable Use of Resources
Following traditional harvesting practices that ensure regeneration (e.g., only
picking mature fruits, selective tree cutting).
Encouraging organic farming, crop diversity, and seasonal cycles known to ancient
farmers to maintain soil health and ecosystem vitality.
5. Promotion of Indigenous Agricultural Systems
Reviving indigenous seed banks, local varieties, and traditional farming practices
like mixed cropping, natural pest control, and rainwater harvesting.
Teaching and promoting systems like Zabo irrigation (Nagaland) and Apatani
water management (Arunachal Pradesh).
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INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
Dr. Sudarshan Kumar
Management Faculty, IIIT Bhagalpur
6. Integration of Traditional and Modern Science
Merging traditional ecological knowledge with scientific research for better resource
management.
Examples: Using traditional weather forecasting techniques along with modern
meteorology for farming.
7. Legal Protection and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Recognizing traditional knowledge through national laws like the Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act and Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
(TKDL).
Providing patent protection for unique herbal medicines and indigenous
technologies.
8. Education and Awareness
Including IKS and environmental ethics in formal education curricula.
Promoting eco-literacy programs in schools and universities to sensitize the youth
towards traditional conservation wisdom.
9. Eco-friendly Livelihood Promotion
Encouraging eco-tourism, handicrafts, traditional herbal medicine production,
and organic farming as sustainable livelihood options that reinforce conservation
practices.
10. Climate Change Adaptation using Traditional Knowledge
Using traditional water management, crop diversity, and building techniques (e.g.,
mud houses, stone structures) to create resilience against climate changes.
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INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
Dr. Sudarshan Kumar
Management Faculty, IIIT Bhagalpur
Approaches and Strategies for Protection and Conservation:
1. Documentation and Preservation
Systematic recording of oral traditions, folk knowledge, manuscripts, and
practices.
Creation of databases, libraries, digital archives (e.g., Traditional Knowledge
Digital Library - TKDL).
Translating ancient texts to regional languages for wider access and preservation.
2. Community-Based Participation
Involving indigenous communities, farmers, artisans, and healers directly in
conservation programs.
Respecting community rights and acknowledging them as custodians of traditional
knowledge.
Creating local committees for monitoring and protecting knowledge systems.
3. Legal Protection and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Framing laws and policies to protect traditional knowledge from misuse or biopiracy.
Patenting indigenous techniques and medicinal knowledge under Geographical
Indications (GI) and Plant Varieties Acts.
Recognizing community ownership over shared knowledge.
4. Integration with Formal Education
Introducing IKS-based subjects in school and university curricula.
Encouraging research on traditional science, arts, agriculture, medicine, and
crafts.
Establishing specialized centers and universities focusing on Indian Knowledge
Systems.
5. Revival and Promotion of Traditional Practices
Promoting organic farming, indigenous water harvesting methods, traditional
healing systems like Ayurveda and Siddha.
Supporting artisans, weavers, architects using ancient techniques (e.g., mud houses,
terracotta art, stone architecture).
Conducting festivals, exhibitions, and fairs showcasing traditional knowledge and
crafts.
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INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
Dr. Sudarshan Kumar
Management Faculty, IIIT Bhagalpur
6. Scientific Validation and Research
Researching and validating traditional knowledge using modern scientific tools.
Collaborations between scientific institutions and traditional practitioners to
update and authenticate ancient practices.
Publishing findings to strengthen the credibility and usability of IKS.
7. Policy Support and Government Initiatives
Government programs like AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha,
Homeopathy) promote Indian health knowledge globally.
Policies encouraging sustainable development using traditional knowledge (e.g., in
agriculture, forestry, water management).
International cooperation for recognizing IKS at global forums (e.g., UNESCO,
WIPO).
8. Promotion of Sustainable and Eco-friendly Livelihoods
Encouraging traditional livelihoods that respect nature, such as handloom weaving,
herbal medicine preparation, indigenous agriculture.
Building market linkages and giving economic incentives to practitioners of
traditional knowledge systems.
9. Use of Technology for Wider Reach
Developing mobile apps, digital libraries, podcasts, and online courses on IKS.
Using social media and e-platforms to spread awareness and appreciation among
youth.
10. Awareness Campaigns and Public Engagement
Running mass awareness programs about the value of IKS.
Promoting local heroes and traditional knowledge bearers through documentaries,
books, and seminars.
