Biodiversity

“While collecting tubers, we take only what we need and we will cover the rest with mud again. Usually the main root is not taken because we need it for next year.”– Wildlife conservationist Ramesh in “Bomman thatha and his forest”, a conversation with his grandfather on “bonding between adivasi people and the forest” (At the Edge of Existence, 29 October 2014)
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=8262

As obesity and diabetes spread “like wildfire” throughout India, traditional foods can make a difference: Tribal elders enjoy better health thanks to a more balanced diet

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The world’s most important contemporary food movement Phrang Roy, coordinator of the Indigenous Partnership for Agro-biodiversity and Food Sovereignty, talks of how Slow Food began as the dream of a few people. “The reality is food is political. Slow Food’s beginning was for consumers in urban centres. They then realised this is not possible without … Read more

Tribal participation in efforts to overcome diseases and malnutrition: Tribal activist and medical doctor Dr. Kamalakshi – Kerala

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A doctor couple have dedicated their life to the tribal people of Attappady. Till two decades ago, the majority of tribal people in Attappady were reluctant to approach doctors even in cases of emergency, preferring herbal medicines they inherited through generations. The number of patients turning up at the sole primary health centre at Agali … Read more

Video | Serving India’s working poor by partnering with grass-root level organizations: Solar microgrids for Santal villages of Purulia District – West Bengal

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Mlinda’ s Bony Tarafder and Champ Tudu tell the success story of a remote Santal rural community in Purulia District of West Bengal: about the new possibilities that came with access to lighting for the first time, health services and sanitation. A film by Ruchir Saraf for milaap.org • Milaap.org is a new way of doing good. Giving loans to the communities … Read more

Cultivating wild varieties of medicinal plants makes tribal communities self-reliant: Increased demand for Ayurveda medicines – Kerala

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Giji K. Raman, The Hindu, KATTAPPANA, August 26, 2014 | To view more photos and read the full article, click here >> Murugan, a native of Kammalankudy in the Marayur sandal division, is a happy man. He was selected the best farmer in the forest division for cultivating the largest quantity of ‘kattupadavalam’ (a wild … Read more

Appreciation for conserving the traditional traits of seeds by tribal farmers: “Old Seed Festival 2014”: Sanjeevini Rural Development Society – Andhra Pradesh

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The Hindu, VISAKHAPATNAM, April 28, 2014 Malivalasa village on Andhra-Odisha border stood first in conserving 203 varieties of old seed followed by Demuduvalasa with 197 varieties. The farmers were given agricultural implements worth Rs.70,000 on Sunday at the 10th Old Seed Festival organised at Malivalasa in Soova panchayat in Dumbriguda mandal of the district. Several tribal … Read more