Conservation of the orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel <i>Dremomys lokriah</i> using a traditional knowledge system: a case study from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Dollo, Mihin; Gopi, Govindan Veeraswami; Teegalapalli, Karthik; Mazumdar, Kripaljyoti

doi:10.1017/s0030605310000785

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Although not all traditional harvesting systems ensure sustainability (Berkes et al 2000), communities can become motivated to protect a resource when its depletion would impact long-held traditions or cultural identity (Garibaldi and Turner 2004, Dollo et al 2010, Mcivor and Pungetti 2012. Such culturally rooted incentives to protect species may be more enduring than a conservation ethic imposed by external stakeholders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even minimal harvests can help reaffirm traditional rights, permit intergenerational transfer of knowledge and skills, and allow communities to reinvigorate traditional bonds with and TEK about particular species (Gaze and Smith 2009). Reinvigorated TEK then ideally allows those with customary ties to a species to contribute to managing the resource, creating locally motivated harvesting regulations that foster adherence (Huntington 2000, Gaze and Smith 2009, Dollo et al 2010). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrating traditional knowledge when it appears to conflict with conservation: lessons from the discovery and protection of sitatunga in Ghana

McPherson¹,

Sammy²,

Sheppard³

et al. 2016

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Cultural traditions can conflict with modern conservation goals when they promote damage to fragile environments or the harvest of imperiled species. We explore whether and how traditional, culturally motivated species exploitation can nonetheless aid conservation by examining the recent "discovery" in Avu Lagoon, Ghana, of sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii gratus), a species familiar to locals, but not previously scientifically recorded in Ghana and regionally assumed extinct. Specifically, we investigate what role traditional beliefs, allied hunting practices, and the associated traditional ecological knowledge have played in the species' discovery and subsequent community-based conservation; how they might influence future conservation outcomes; and how they may themselves be shaped by conservation efforts. Our study serves to exemplify the complexities, risks, and benefits associated with building conservation efforts around traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs. Complexities arise from localized variation in beliefs (with cultural significance of sitatunga much stronger in one village than others), progressive dilution of traditional worldviews by mainstream religions, and the context dependence, both culturally and geographically, of the reliability of traditional ecological knowledge. Among the benefits, we highlight (1) information on the distribution and habitat needs of species that can help to discover, rediscover, or manage imperiled taxa if appropriately paired with scientific data collection; and (2) enhanced sustainability of conservation efforts given the cultivation of mutual trust, respect, and understanding between researchers and local communities. In turn, conservation attention to traditional ecological knowledge and traditionally important species can help reinvigorate cultural diversity by promoting the persistence of traditional belief and knowledge systems alongside mainstream worldviews and religions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating traditional knowledge when it appears to conflict with conservation: lessons from the discovery and protection of sitatunga in Ghana

McPherson¹,

Sammy²,

Sheppard³

et al. 2016

E&S

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In recent years local ecological knowledge has been incorporated into decision-making in the management of protected areas and species (Usher, 2000;19752009 18 Steinzmetz et al, 2006;Dollo et al, 2010). In the case of Ngoc Son Ngo Luong Nature Reserve the information furnished by local hunters from the seven communes indicates the major changes that have occurred in vertebrate composition and abundance since 1975.…”

Section: Information On the Species Present In The Reservementioning

confidence: 99%

Local ecological knowledge as a tool for assessing the status of threatened vertebrates: a case study in Vietnam

Cano¹,

Tellería

2013

Oryx

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This study draws on the local ecological knowledge of 58 hunters from seven communes in the Ngoc Son Ngo Luong Nature Reserve (Hoa Binh province, North Vietnam) to examine the local status of 40 threatened vertebrates. The reserve forms part of a biodiversity-rich mountainous corridor. Respondents were shown photographs of the species and asked to rate their abundance on a scale of 0-3 (0, extinct; 3, very abundant) in two periods: pre-1975 (before Doi Moi) and in 2009. The results show that 39 species have lived in the area and five are now extinct (Delacour's langur Trachypithecus delacouri, northern white-cheeked crested gibbon Nomascus leucogenys, dhole Cuon alpinus, oriental small-clawed otter Aonyx cinereus, Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris corbetti) and the presence of another six is doubtful (Phayre's leaf-monkey Trachypithecus phayrei ssp. crepuscula, sun bear Helarctos malayanus, binturong Arctictis binturong, fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus, leopard Panthera pardus, wreathed hornbill Anorrhinus undulatus). The results show a general decline in numbers and abundance, with mammals declining fastest, especially carnivores and primates. The differences in abundance between species have narrowed since 1975, converging towards trends of general impoverishment at similar low abundances. The survey results were similar among communes and also concord with the findings of research in nearby areas. This study demonstrates the usefulness of local ecological knowledge for planning, decision-making and management of protected areas in the absence of historical records or financial resources for conducting intensive fieldwork in remote and little-known areas.Keywords Local ecological knowledge, mammal, Ngoc Son Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, threatened vertebrate, Vietnam This paper contains supplementary material that can be found online at

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“…Some local scholars and highly educated people of the region feel that cultural heritage of some of the tribes was under threat from modernization/development and younger generation was not much interested in their traditional culture (Dollo et al, 2010;Borang, 2001). State Government must include these aspects of biodiversity conservation, traditional and heritage knowledge in school curricula so that younger generation can take pride in their ancient culture and traditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ethno botanical note of the plant species used by local tribes for dwelling purposes in the Eastern Himalaya of India and some forest management related pressing issues

Chaudhry

Murtem

2017

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Abstract:The present article deals with the documentation of tribal knowledge on plant species used by local tribes for dwelling purposes in Upper Eastern Himalayan region of India. In total, 46 plant species belonging to 19 families were recorded in the study area of Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Arecaceae, Poaceae and Magnoliaceae were the dominant families with 7, 6 and 5 plant species respectively, while Moraceae and Dipterocarpaceae followed with 4 species each. Four major life forms recorded were trees, cane, bamboos and grasses. Two thirds of the plant species were of 'tree' life form providing valuable timber species for dwelling units. Converting forest area for raising commercial crop like tea and rubber is putting pressure on biodiversity of the state. Some significant issues which require state Government's immediate attention for overall management and conservation of forests of the region have been discussed in the article. Large scale conservation efforts, mainly forest protection and reforestation, are urgently needed to avoid further biodiversity loss. Based on age old experience and traditions involving local environment and biological resources, the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh have tremendous ecological knowledge available with them. State Government must include aspects of biodiversity conservation, traditional and heritage knowledge of tribe's culture in school curricula so that younger generation can take pride in their ancient culture and traditions.

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Conservation of the orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel Dremomys lokriah using a traditional knowledge system: a case study from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Cited by 17 publications

References 2 publications

Integrating traditional knowledge when it appears to conflict with conservation: lessons from the discovery and protection of sitatunga in Ghana

Integrating traditional knowledge when it appears to conflict with conservation: lessons from the discovery and protection of sitatunga in Ghana

Local ecological knowledge as a tool for assessing the status of threatened vertebrates: a case study in Vietnam

An Ethno botanical note of the plant species used by local tribes for dwelling purposes in the Eastern Himalaya of India and some forest management related pressing issues

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