Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction
Indigenous Knowledge – Terminology, Definitions, Characteristics, Domains and Examples.

Module 2: Bio-cultural diversity and Indigenous Knowledge
Diverse ecological zones, ways of living and indigenous knowledge Diverse foods and knowledge, Indigenous people’s perception of nature – people as part of nature, Sacred groves.

Module 3: Indigenous Knowledge of tribes on forest resources and forest products
Dominant domains of forest resources and knowledge, Indigenous knowledge on plants for economic and survival needs, Knowledge about medicinal plants, plants for forecasting rain.

Module 4: Importance of Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge for local communities, environment, humanity Indigenous Knowledge in modern society – indigenous knowledge vs scientific knowledge

Indigenous Knowledge and development – Indigenous Knowledge in/for development, agriculture, natural resource management.

Module 5: Policies and Management of Indigenous Knowledge
International and national policies on indigenous/traditional knowledge,
Intellectual Property Rights for Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous Knowledge Management – Transmission, erosion, documentation and maintenance of indigenous knowledge.

To introduce the concept and domains of indigenous knowledge,

To expose students to the diverse ways of living and knowing,

To familiarize the indigenous knowledge of tribes in India,

To explain the relevance of indigenous knowledge,

5. To study the policies and management of indigenous knowledge.

After the completion of this course, students will be able to:
CO1: understand the concept of indigenous knowledge,
CO2: identify various categories of indigenous knowledge,
CO3: learn the best practices of indigenous knowledge,
CO4: explain the role of indigenous knowledge,
CO5: comprehend the challenges and state of indigenous knowledge today.

Ellen, Roy, Peter Parkes and Allan Bicker (eds), Indigenous Environmental Knowledge and its Transformations: Critical Anthropological Perspectives, . Harwood Academic Publishers, Amsterdam , 2000

Misra, Kamal K. (ed.), Traditional Knowledge in Contemporary Societies: Challenges and Opportunities, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal & Pratibha Prakashan, Delhi. , 2007

Sillitoe, Paul. Alan Bicker and Johan Pottier (eds), Participating in Development: Approaches to indigenous knowledge, Routledge, London , 2002

Bicker, Alan, Paul Sillitoe and Johan Pottier (eds), Development and Local Knowledge: New approaches to issues in natural resources management, conservation and agriculture, London: Routledge , 2004