<span style="font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt" lang="EN-US">Folk conservation practices of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Gond</i> tribal of Mendha (Lekha) village of Central India </span>

Abstract

This paper gives insights in to folk conservation practices performed by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Gond</i> tribal of the Mendha village of the Central India. The study performed during 2003-2004. The data has been generated through individual interviews, group discussion, attending religious ceremonies, etc. All practices divided in to 3 broad types, viz. species level conservation efforts, ecosystem level conservation efforts and modern ways of the nature conservation. Species level conservation efforts visualized in to totemic species, species of the ritualistic or religious importance and other restraint on utilization of certain species. The ecosystem level conservation efforts mainly consist of sacred groves, sacred ponds, sacred pools along river, etc. The modern ways of the nature conservation in Mendha village are attributed to recent transformation of village due to its empowered <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Gramsabha</i> (Village Council). The objectives of the study was to document the traditional wisdom of the local people regarding nature conservation so that same can be utilized and protected in the context of modern conservation practices.