Traditional Knowledge System of Uttarakhand

Indian culture has always encouraged living in harmony with nature. This is reflected in our Traditional Knowledge System also. “Traditional knowledge” of a particular region involves tradition-based literary, artistic, or scientific works; performances; inventions; etc. The definition of traditional knowledge used by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) includes indigenous knowledge relating to categories such as agricultural knowledge, medicinal knowledge, biodiversity-related knowledge, and expressions of folklore in the form of music, dance, song, handicraft, designs, stories and artwork. Uttarakhand has very rich and diverse traditional knowledge in its different physiographic regions like the Trans-Himalaya, Greater Himalaya or Himadri, Lesser Himalaya, Shiwalik Ranges, foothills & Terai and the Plains of Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. A wide array of cultural diversity exists within these regions. The cultural celebrations of Uttarakhand are strongly connected with its natural resources. Nowadays, it is important to protect traditional knowledge systems as they can be used by other countries in unlawful ways (Bio-Piracy). Therefore, by popularizing these practices among the young generation and making them aware of their rich natural heritage this traditional knowledge system can be conserved. The present book “Traditional Knowledge System of Uttarakhand” will focus on different aspects of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Traditional Technical Knowledge, Traditional Values and Ethics, Cultural Heritage, Ethnobotany, and Ethnozoology. It encompasses information regarding the indigenous knowledge of Uttarakhand in terms of flora, fauna, natural resources, sustainable utilization of natural resources, rural technology, literary aspects, cultural values, and ethics, and also the conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources to maintain cultural heritage.