Indigenous Science and Technology for Sustainable Development

Indigenous knowledge is the informal knowledge that exists in local societies, as against formal knowledge developed by the universities and research institutions of modern society. Indigenous knowledge of a human group covers a wide range of its members’ perceptions of universal phenomena, occurring in their immediate environment as well as the social, economic and cultural practices of the people. The roots for the modern technology are found in the indigenous scientific knowledge of different human groups. In recent times many scientists including anthropologists have felt the need of preservation of indigenous knowledge and also its use for the sustainable development of tribal and rural folks. Indigenous knowledge is an important natural resource that can facilitate the development process in cost-effective, participatory and sustainable ways. The research papers included in this volume provide the practical knowledge of tribal and rural folks of India in utilization of indigenous science and technologies in their subsistence activities.