Learning the indigenous knowledge and biodiversity through contest: A participatory methodological tool of ecoliteracy

Abstract

The paper describes the process, approach and results of participatory based biodiversity learning and creation of an environment among children and traditional healers, pastoralists and wisemen for making the knowledge network. In this endeavor, the students have been collaborated with the farmers by taking the help of regional transfer of technology centers. These students have led the campaign in organizing biodiversity contests among school children and learning with village community. The objective behind the effort was to inculcate the interest among college and school children towards biodiversity use and conservation and thereby reduce the rate of knowledge erosion with the help of local wisdom.The paper introduces issue of collaborative learning on biodiversity between children and village wise men and reflects some lessons learned about the knowledge networking in the society. It also discusses some possible factors behind creation of good environment of learning between wise men and children in forms of participatory approaches applied. The obtained results will support the participatory biodiversity based education and learning programmes for the sustainable development.