Assessing the Potential of Indigenous Technological Knowledge (ITK) for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Himalayan and Arid ecosystems

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the objective of documenting and assessing the potential of indigenous knowledge towards adaptation to climate change covering a sample of 200 farmers, hundred each from Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan representing Himalayan and Arid ecosystems respectively. Documentation of ITK was done using both primary and secondary source of information. In-depth study was designed by combining survey and anthropological approach of participant study. The major documented indigenous knowledge was ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">mind</i>’ cultivation, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">chal’</i> to harvest water, ‘apple paste’ to control diseases and ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">siddu</i>’ to protect from extreme cold in Himachal Pradesh. Similarly, the major documented indigenous knowledge of Rajasthan were–<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Khadin’</i> farming system to manage drought, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">kanabandi</i>’ to manage soil and wind storm, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">tanka</i>’ to harvest water, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">jupka</i>’ and ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">kothi</i>’ for storing the grain and feed, etc. Beside these, the people of both the ecosystems observed the movement of insects and animals (butterfly, ant, and termite) to forecast the rainfall and other climatic parameter. As the indigenous practices hold high potential to address the issue of climate change, these may be promoted after establishing their scientific validity and rationality.