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Culture and
Biodiversity: Myths, Legends and the Conservation of Nature in
the Hills of North-East India
Tiplut Nongbri
The knowledge system and beliefs of the indigenous people had
been interpreted as superstition and irrational by those who
advocate what they consider as a superior religion, like
Christianity or a more rational view point like that of western
science. This paper demonstrates, taking the example of the
traditional beliefs and practices of the Khasi of Meghalaya,
that these beliefs and associated practices had great functional
value. More importantly the merit of indigenous systems of
beliefs for the preservation of the ecological system are seen
in the local reverence for parts of nature like the sacred
groves and such trees and natural objects as are considered
sacred. It is such beliefs that had led to the sustained
relationship between man and nature that preserved both for
centuries; however today such a harmonious relationship is under
threat from external factors such as Chrsitianity, modern
concepts of development and the market economy. The recently
introduced Bio-Diversity Bill that overtly seeks to preserve
bio-diversity is also actually only a tool for profit making by
the State and the multinationals. The interests of the
indigenous and local peoples have been totally overlooked in
this Bill. True preservation and continuity of bio-diversity can
only be done taking in to account the sentiments and beliefs of
the local people.
Key Words: Knowledge systems, Indigenous knowledge, Myth,
Ecology, Bio-diversity bill |
