Ecology & environment

“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

Tip | Educational resources and information on indigenous customs: Wiki Resource for Indian Biodiversity

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Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus) – the National Flower of India. Find out more national and state symbols of India here >> We strongly believe that knowledge is the first step towards any kind of change. Thus, we created this Biodiversity Of India website. The BOI website, part of the Project Brahma Initiative, is an open-source, community driven project, much like Wikipedia, where anyone … Read more

Forest Department recruitment drive among forest-dwelling tribes: Protecting inhospitable forest terrain – Kerala

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State to conduct special recruitment drive Chinnappa Raja, chief of the Muduvan tribe in the Malakkapara forest areas of Thrissur district, is elated at the decision of the Forest Department to recruit 700 tribal people as forest watchers. — Photo: C. Suresh Kumar The State government has cleared a Forest Department proposal to create 700 … Read more

A not-for-profit venture promoting sustainable farming practices and a sense of participation by individuals and communities: reStore – Chennai

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Organic Farming: The reality behind the myths bu Karthik Kumar An edited version of this article also appeared in The Business Line newspaper http://www.blonnet.com/2008/09/02/stories/2008090251610900.htm Organic farming is coming under attack from many quarters, even as awareness spreads that it is a more sustainable and healthier way to live. Criticism ranges, from, doubts about its lack … Read more

Tip | Teaching children how to use a video camera: “Beyond Borders” on the universality of our need for water – Delhi

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Tushar Khurana, The Hindu, Delhi, April 15, 2013 Children experiment with a variety of genres to make films on water So what do you get when you take a bunch of kids, show them some documentaries, teach them how to use a video camera, and then leave them to it? Based on the evidence, the answer … Read more

Traditional honey harvesting by the Kattunayakan in the Nilgiri mountains – Tamil Nadu

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Text and photo credits: Accord team, Tarsh and Tariq Thekaekara, Gudalur,  July 24, 2013  | Read the full blog here >> Listening to K. Chandran’s story, we ended up with muddled emotions. The story is about his grandfather and his love for honey. It is about the ancient beliefs of honey harvesting still followed by him … Read more