The intensity of climate change is increasingly exerting a negative effect on systematic human and natural life system. However, local traditional knowledge has helped mitigate the impact of natural disaster.
The damage wreaked by disasters in the past could have been minimised, had the traditional systems and knowledge been in effective practice. This has been revealed by scientific study undertaken by the Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre (DMMC) executive director Piyoosh Rautela on the relation between traditional knowledge and disaster mitigation.
The study was undertaken with financial assistance from Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST). The study is focused on the effect of climate change on human and wildlife behaviour, land use, rain, agriculture system and the tendency to conserve natural resources in addition to the multi-dimensional traditional knowledge revealed in discussions with the public.
This study was focused on the Bhagirathi and Asi Ganga valleys in Uttarkashi district. Questionnaires were given and discussions held with 312 people in 26 villages of Bhagirathi valley and 239 people in 15 villages of Asi Ganga valley.
Special importance was given in the study to traditional knowledge related information provided by aged persons and women. According to UCOST, the study is important considering the potential for natural disasters in Uttarakhand.
An attempt has also been made in the study to compile traditional knowledge practiced by local community while also clarifying the usefulness of traditional knowledge and practices in tackling natural disasters. The traditional methods of weather forecast used by villagers have been revealed in this study.
The study also hints at the need for refining traditional knowledge as per recent changes and developing a system for making traditional knowledge available to present and future generations.
The study also recommends that the the traditional knowledge of Himalayan communities should be compiled, surveyed and scientifically analysed. Traditional knowledge and skills in Uttarakhand cannot be ignored in the efforts aimed at ensuring integrated development of the State. The disasters experienced in the State in recent years have elicited the focus of the common public and policy makers towards this, states the study.