Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

TRADITIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: A REVIEW OF LOCAL CONCEPTS AND ISSUES ONCHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dr. Pinky Baruah

The natural resource management issues in the present scenario are not taking into consideration the contributions of the indigenous people and their culture. This paper reviews the importance of traditional resource management practices among the Rajbongshi community of North East India. An anthropological study has been carried out to investigate the local perception of forests, wildlife, biodiversity conservation and traditional beliefs and their significance in natural resources management. Among the major findings of the paper is that although the potential of traditional natural resources management for biodiversity conservation among the Rajbongshi community of North East India is immense, the sustainability of these practices at present times is seriously threatened. This has resulted because of the rapid changes in belief systems. It has been found that biophysical as well as socio economic factors were found to underlie these changes. The breakdown of traditional beliefs among the new generation has been the greatest threat to sustainability of these traditional practices.

Published Date: 2014-10-09;