“In Central India, individual plant species figure in the first fruit ceremonies of the adivasi (indigenous) communities. During certain periods of the year, their fruits, flowers, leaves or seeds are not collected or consumed. This allows those species to rest for a few weeks or months during crucial periods for their growth or regeneration. The norms around these practices or methods are often embedded within the cultural-religious traditions of communities. As a knowledge system being transferred between generations, seldom are they explained or discussed in terms of ecology or conservation.” – Madhu Ramnath in “How culture threatens species A note on Caryota urens in South India” (Current Conservation 16.3, accessed 4 December 2022)
https://www.currentconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/16.3.pdf
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=20305
Learning in Ladakh from K K on Vimeo. Ladakh is ‘little Tibet’ culturally speaking and geographically it provides a habitat for the shy and reclusive Snow Leopard which is on the verge of extinction and which is why the Snow Leopard Conservancy exists, to stem their demise. Headed ably by Rinchen Wangchuk in India. SLC, … Read more
Published on Aug 8, 2015 The initial videos of Kalamandir, describing its objectives, main and interest in preservation, conservation and dissemination of art and cultural heritage. Kalamandir has traveled a long way since 1997. This is just to remember all our old acquaintance and friends and our team efforts. Source: Kalamandir – The Celluloid Chapter … Read more
Arunachal Pradesh, recognized as one of the hotspots of biodiversity is home to a range of economically important plants. Some of these plant species have found use in the preparation of natural dyes. Natural dyes are colourants having several applications in textiles, inks, cosmetics, etc. Nature has gifted us more than 500 dye-yielding plant species. … Read more
India may be the only large country with huge scientific capability to lack a serious programme to monitor the state of its ecosystems. Because the major drivers of habitat loss or change are rooted in political, economic and social factors, India needs to develop a monitoring programme that is focused not only on biodiversity, but … Read more
Reams have been written about adivasis by so-called experts. Much of it is subjective interpretation, an exercise I have always been wary of indulging in. For this issue, therefore, my husband Stan and I recorded reflections of different adivasis on how they view life, their religion, politics, the past, the present and the world around … Read more