About the Programme

“Network Programme on Convergence of Traditional Knowledge Systems for Integration to Sustainable Development in the Indian Himalayan Region” is one of the 06 Task Forces under National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) (http://www.knowledgeportal-nmshe.in/Home.aspx), which is the only area specific Mission under National Action Plan on Climate Change, being anchored by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India.

Among the several secondary objectives of the NMSHE within the overall primary objectives, following are important from the viewpoint of developing bottom-up approach for the sustainable development of the IHR: (a) Networking of knowledge institutions engaged in studies on Himalayan Ecosystem and development of a coherent data base apart from other biophysical themes especially on traditional knowledge systems (TKS) and socio cultural dimensions, and (b) Studying of traditional knowledge systems for community participation in adaptation, mitigation and coping mechanisms inclusive of farming and traditional healthcare systems and linking of traditional and formal knowledge systems through strategic mechanism.

To assist NMSHE in achieving its aforesaid objectives in a time bound manner, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi entrusted with the responsibility for co-ordinatation and implementation of the above said programme under the mission in the 12 states of the IHR with the help of eight network partners viz., Kashmir University, Srinagar; Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur; G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD), Almora; Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun; Doon University, Dehradun; Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur; North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong; and Vigyan Prasar, Noida, UP. Bearing in mind the vast geographical area of the IHR, case study approach has also been adopted to make the documentation process regionally representative on one hand and expand partnership with TKS experts and local institutions on the other.

In the wake of aforesaid importance of developing a sound data base on TKS and existing knowledge gaps, the programme is striving to document a whole range of TKS in focussed manner across the Himalayan region with the following objectives:

 

  1. Document, validate/generate scientific evidence & analyse Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) in IHR;
  2. Understand linkage between TKS and Conventional/Scientific Knowledge in order to identify promising TKS for improvement and adoption;
  3. Capacity building of institutions on TKS for Sustainable Development in IHR;
  4. Strategic framework for TKS management in IHR in the face of Climate Change adaptation & mitigation; and
  5. Create digital library based on documented TKS.

 

TKS related to agriculture, wild bio resources, traditional healthcare systems, land and soil management practices, water resource management, food and beverages, biodiversity conservation, weather forecasting, traditional architecture, storage system, handloom and handicrafts etc., are being documented in an integrated manner in more than 50 identified communities/eco-cultural zones across the IHR under the programme. To narrow down the vast scope of the programme climate change and gender perspectives are being used as filters.

The envisaged outcomes of this programme shall be:

  1. A coherent database on the TKS of diverse local communities of the IHR
  2. Compendium on TKS based best practices for improvement and adoption for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the IHR
  3. Bio-prospecting of biological resources of food and medicinal value
  4. Capacity building of traditional institutions relevant stakeholders and at the same time help create a vibrant constituency of scientists and young researchers who further explore multiple dimensions of the theme in future
  5. Greater awareness among multiple stakeholder groups on the importance of TKS
  6. Digital data base and website on the TKS of the IHR
  7. Help assessing the health status of TKS
  8. Policy briefs on various TKS issues
  9. Promote demand driven research and provide new livelihood earning opportunities to local communities

 

Objectives

  1. Document, validate/generate scientific evidence & analyse Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) in IHR;
  2. Understand linkage between TKS and Conventional/Scientific Knowledge in order to identify promising TKS for improvement and adoption;
  3. Capacity building of institutions on TKS for Sustainable Development in IHR;
  4. Strategic framework for TKS management in IHR in the face of Climate Change adaptation & mitigation; and
  5. Create digital library based on documented TKS.