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Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK) >
IJTK Vol.10 [2011] >
IJTK Vol.10(1) [January 2011] >
| Title: | Traditional knowledge of natural disaster mitigation and ethno medicine practices in Himalaya with special reference to Sikkim |
| Authors: | Joshi, Varun
Rawat, MS
Sharma, AK
Kumar, K
Panda, AK |
| Keywords: | Natural Disaster
Ethno medicine
Sikkim
Uttarakhand
Traditional knowledge |
| Issue Date: | Jan-2011 |
| Publisher: | NISCAIR-CSIR, India |
| IPC Code: | Int. Cl.8 : E04H 9/16; E04H 9/00; G01W 1/14; G01W; A01D 20/10; A01D 20/47; A01D 12/23; A01D 17/07; A01D 12/08; A01D 1/68; A01D 9/02 |
| Abstract: | Indigenous knowledge refers to the age old refined
methods and practices developed by previous numerous generations from an
advanced understanding of the local environment, to save their belongings and
lives from any future natural disaster. The local people observe signs in the
environment which allow them to take precautions before a disaster occurs. This
knowledge contains several other important characteristics which distinguish it
from other types of knowledge. All such knowledge include evolved within the
community, maintaining a non-formal means of dissemination, collectively owned,
developed over several generations and subject to adaptation, and imbedded in a
community’s way of life as a means of survival. Survival strategy of the masses
has led to the evolution of area specific, locally pertinent and effective ways
of mitigating natural disasters. This vital knowledge base practices are
however often ignored and due recognition and importance have not been given,
hence being eroded with the time. This paper highlights the relevance of cost
affective traditional practices and acceptable means of mitigating disasters by
the local communities. The paper is based upon the extensive field studies,
discussions held with local populace conducted in different phases for use of
the traditional disaster mitigation and medicinal plants practices of the
people during disaster in the remote study area. The paper discusses the
relevance of the various traditional disaster mitigation practices of the
region. Studies show that the understanding was fairly evolved in the
respective areas of natural disaster like earthquake, landslide and drought
mitigation. The major medical problems in disaster are massive causalities,
bleeding, loss of consciousness, pain, swelling, Joint dislocation and bone
fractures. Eight medicinal plants are indigenously used in these purposes in
the remote area during disaster till they receive any modern medical aid. |
| Page(s): | 198-206 |
| CC License: |  CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India |
| ISSN: | 0975-1068 (Online); 0972-5938 (Print) |
| Source: | IJTK Vol.10(1) [January 2011]
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