Arunachal Pradesh, a mysterious, magical and mystical land tucked away in the north eastern tip of India is one of the most compelling holiday destinations in India.
Arunachal has 26 major tribes and many sub-tribes living in 3649 scattered villages. Although a number of tribal groups constitue the total population, the density of population is very less. People are Mangoloid stock but each tribe has certain distinct characteristics in language, dress & costume. They have a rich cultural heritage. The People are simple, friendly and hospitable. Their colourful festivals are manifestations of their faith and belief.
Community knowledge is the essence of social capital of the poor people and plays significant role in conservation of biodiversity.
Local culture, spirit, social and ethical norms possessed by local people has often been determining factors for sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity.
Study indicates that Monpa tribe is having their location specific life-long experience and indigenous strategy for sustainable biodiversity (Paisang and pine tree) use and management at community level. This has been built up through regular practice and observations of local practices related with use of dry leaves of Paisang and pine trees. Women folk play a significant role in collecting and using the dry leaves of these local trees. Maize is a sta ple food crop in which use of dry leaves of Paisang and pine tree is predominant.
In other crops like barley, wheat, beans, buck wheat, finger millet, coriander, bottle gourd, cucumber, soybean, pumpkin, bitter gourd, spinach, field pea, mustard species, garlic, onion and chilli the dry leaves of Paisang and pine trees are also applied as mulch and source of organic matter. The use of dry leaves of these trees helps the farmers to increase the soil fertility, control soil erosion and conserve soil moisture, thereby helpful in diversifying the local cropping systems and reducing the risk. Based on the types of crops, soil and topography, amount of use of dry leaves varies considerably.
With the change in the social and cultural systems, government policy and infestation of Loranthus, the use and conservation of trees have been adversely affected.
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September 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am
cool pics…these tribes have so much to pass on to modern man of today.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 am
Yeah really worthpreserving the enriched bio-diversity of Tawang.Arunachal as well as Shillong are to be kept in eco friendly ways.Eco-tourism should be focus up on the cleanliness avoiding plastic wastes at any cost.Look at Mawlinong village of Shillong as a model example for clean preservation of bio diversity.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
beatuful pictures!.