Traditional Knowledge System as a Potential Tool for Addressing Environmental Crisis and Guaranteeing Sustainability – The Case of Water Management Initiatives in the Bero Block, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Reviving, Encouraging, using traditional knowledge; It is our clear example from the Bero block that the traditional knowledge or local knowledge can be utilized to overcome the natural crisis. The realization of traditional knowledge and growing concern about its continued erosion, have prompted a number of countries to adopt policies and programmes recognizing and promoting it. International agencies, NGOs and indigenous peoples or local communities themselves, have also initiated a number of measures. The recognition of Mr. Simon Oraon for this coveted award must be seen in this background. Following is the list of principles proposed in the International Council of Science and UNESCO with reference to traditional knowledge in relation to sustainable development: (ICSU 2002). • Ensure the full and effective participation of traditional knowledge holders during all stages of elaboration of sustainable development policies, plans and programmes alongside the scientific and technological community • Acknowledge and respect the social and cultural base within which this knowledge is embedded • Recognize the rights of traditional people to own, regulate access and share benefits of their unique sets of knowledge, resources and products • Ensure that traditional knowledge holders are fully informed of potential partnerships • Promote model for environmental and sustainable governance • Promote training to better equip young scientists and indigenous people to carry out research on traditional knowledge. Concluding Remarks: • Traditional knowledge is the finest system developed by traditional community in a cognitive encounter with the social, cultural and environmental crisis. • It includes and not excludes all aspects of socio-cultural, political, spiritual life of people. • As an alternative system, it negates the domination and dominant model of development by providing a frame of understanding the things inwardly for finding solutions within the given settings. • And it is less dependent on the external or foreign substances, and it exploits locally available materials and human resource. • As it is collective, the whole community claims the credit for the initiative by acknowledging the lead role of the torch bearer. This study recommends that: • The traditional bearers in the community must be capacitated to manage the transmission of their knowledge to the younger generations. • Awareness programs are the need of the hour to empower the local communities to actively participate in the development process. • An integrated approach can be preferred for the conservation and management of natural resources. • Innovative ways can be identified at all resource levels. • Creation of hybrid knowledge by incorporating both traditional and modern technologies. • The cultural life or folk life of the local communities must not be disturbed by the external agencies.