Traditional knowledge and biocultural diversity: learning from tribal communities for sustainable development in northeast India

This paper presents a synthesis of grassroots activities designed to promote the learning and conservation of traditional knowledge and related biocultural resources among Adi, Monpa and Khasi tribes of northeast India. The results indicate that the participation of knowledge holders in various village level activities can enhance the promotion of traditional practices, learning of knowledge and conservation of related resources. Knowledge holders of varying age groups and social systems have many notable traditional practices that provide promising solutions to current challenges. The promotion of traditional knowledge-based products can also facilitate the conservation of resources and the subsistence survival of people. Strong multi-level networks between all stakeholders are needed to ensure the sustainability of traditional knowledge and conservation of biocultural resources of communities of northeast India. © 2010 University of Newcastle upon Tyne.