Role of traditional home garden systems in Northeast India

Abstract

In Northeast India, traditional home gardens have been maintained as a part of rural survival over generations, with a complex vegetational structure harbouring diverse types of local plant species with multiple functions. Nonetheless, significant difference in species selection for traditional home gardens may primarily be due to altitudinal/climatic regime and also traditional beliefs and day-to-day requirements of the farming people. In the study, the role of three different farming communities (Nyishis, Apatanis and Kalitas) in the preservation and management of their traditional values, faith and indigenous knowledge system were studied.