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Nepal :Country full of Traditional Methods for Nature Conservation |
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by Sujan Adhikari | 29-11-2015 15:42
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One may describe Nepal in their own terms but all definitions sum up to one word "Beautiful". Not only it has beauty, it has its own culture with ethnic diverse cultural groups, their own tradition and language. And YES they do have some traditional knowledge that eye for greener environment. Since Most of Nepali are Hindu, lot of scientific practices prevails still in society for better environment.
Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity it has been ranked 25th from the top in the global biodiversity context (NBAP, 1998). The main reasons for this richness are the sharp altitudinal variation (60-8848masl), the country?s geographical position, climatic variation (tropical to arctic), and the interaction of these factors, causing diverse ecosystems of great floral and faunal diversity.
Traditional knowledge refers to the knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities around the world developed from experience gained over the centuries and adapted to the local culture and environment. Traditional knowledge is transmitted orally from generation to generation. It tends to be collectively owned and takes the form of stories, songs, folklore, proverbs, cultural values, beliefs, rituals, community laws, local languages, and agricultural practices, including the development of plant species and animal breeds.
In former times, and still today, traditional knowledge and practices provided the basis for the wellbeing and livelihoods of the indigenous mountain communities, maintaining their health and replenishing the environment. People are preserving environment knowingly or unknowingly since long and the truth is, all method followed are scientific. So, every ethnic group conserves nature in their own possible way, which ultimately works for Healthier Earth. Traditional Knowledge have been developed, practiced, preserved and shared within traditional cultures and indigenous groups over generations and the global community has realized the role of the traditional communities in conservation and sustainable utilization of biological resources. Indigenous people had contributed their knowledge on sound use of natural resources, conservation and restoration.
Indigenous water resource management practices
Indigenous soil fertility management practices Researchers documented indigenous TJyapoo method of soil management and some 12 methods of indigenous soil fertility management1. Use of farm yard manure, green manuring, in-situ manuring such as by keeping animals in sheds or in open fields and also by using migratory flocks of sheep and goats, mulching, use of nitrogen fixing plants, crop rotation, fallowing, terrace riser slicing, trapping flood water for fertigation, burning of trash, use of forest soils and black soils, and burying of dead animals and mobile toilets are recognised as indigenous soil fertility management practices common in Nepal.
Indigenous Knowledge on biodiversity and forest management Singi Nawa- this is one of the important community level traditional knowledge of the Himalayan people, living in the highest part of the world to conserve the forest and wildlife. Singi, in Sherpa language, means wood or trees and Nawa means to ask. So Singi Nawa means to ask someone before cutting any trees or woods. This is a custom the Sherpas have been practicing for many years. People choose a leader, old but an intellectual person, among them who can adeptly handle the community. The leader prepares a calendar, where it is mentioned that people are allowed to cut trees on that date only otherwise some dreadful things may happen in the community. The people of the community ask the leader when they are allowed to cut trees. Because of him, the people maintain their discipline and do not cut trees anytime. This, in the long run, conserves the forest.
Natural bamboo resources management is one of the most common indigenous knowledge possessed by farmers in Nepal. Bamboo is one of the most useful plants in Nepal and is used extensively as a source of income generation.
Indigenous knowledge on pest management The frlewahang Rai?s have indigenous methods of pest management that are heavily relied on in areas where external inputs (e.g. chemical pesticides) are in short supply. In remote areas, common pests, such as stem borer (Chillozonellis), attack wheat and maize stocks. The grounded pulp of the Khira leaf is spread on the wheat crop and the scent of the pulp is sufficient to kill the pests. In the case of paddy, the pulp is introduced into the paddy field through the irrigation channel. In the case of specific pest attacks, like the rice moth which creates clusters of rice on paddy, they are combed out with sticks and the moths deposited in the water to ensure decomposition, the operation is carried out in sunlight. Other practices like grain storage with ash or neem is common.
Plants for Air Purification Different plants like Peepal, Tulsi, Snake Plant etc. are used for air purification and oxygen supplying trees. These practices are still prevalent.
But sad to say, the genetic resources and traditional knowledge are being lost due to ecological degradation, through the introduction of more ?modern? agricultural practices, displacement by development projects, overexploitation and by the new market forces unleashed by liberalization and globalization, bringing with it an increase in the threat of biopiracy. |
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19 Comments
Hello sujan
I hope you are doing well
Thank you so much for this report
Green cheers
Regards
Asmita Gaire
Posted 12-05-2020 02:29
Greetings sujan
I hope you are doing well
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
I hope to read more from you
Green cheers
Regards
Susmita
Posted 25-03-2020 02:38
Greeting Sujan
I hope you are doing well
Nicely written
Thank you so much for this report.
Keep writing
Green cheers!
Regards
Basanta
Posted 23-03-2020 10:40
Thank You Aabha, Your words are more sweeter than my article )
Posted 09-12-2015 22:00
Nepal is gifted with both natural and cultural beauty and the way you present it made Nepal more beautiful .
Posted 09-12-2015 13:41
Thanks Deepak Bhai )
Posted 01-12-2015 20:11
nice report :-)
Posted 30-11-2015 15:10
Thanks Arushi for your sweet compliments, You are well known about Nepal. :)
Posted 30-11-2015 09:36
My compliments for a very well structured and informative report. Nepal is really rich in cultural heritage and traditional know-how to conserve environment .
Posted 30-11-2015 03:12
Thanks Pujan Dhakal for compliments )
Posted 29-11-2015 22:05
Thanks Prarthana for going though it.
Posted 29-11-2015 22:04
This Report Clearly proves Nepal is awesome. We do have lots of diverse traditional knowledge that are used for Nature Conservation.
Thumbs up for your report.
Posted 29-11-2015 21:26
Good Report Sujan, Yeah Nepal is full of traditional and cultural values and some of them protects environment too..
Posted 29-11-2015 21:15
Thanks Suman Bohora
Posted 29-11-2015 21:10
Yes, Proud to be NEPALi. Big Thumbs up Rama Khadka
Posted 29-11-2015 21:09
Thank You Rahul, your compliments are always inspiring me to move ahead.
Posted 29-11-2015 21:08
Nicely flown..
Posted 29-11-2015 20:20
Proud to be Nepali..... Likessss....
Posted 29-11-2015 18:24
Wonderful report Sujan. I love how your presentation way. And reading this made me ponder Is Nepal rich. If in terms of environment and traditional culture, it's Super rich )
Posted 29-11-2015 16:23