Biodiversity conservation through integration of traditional ethnic practices of Santhal tribe in Jharkhand, India

Abstract

The ethnobiological studies of Santhal tribe in Jharkhand reveal that certain aspects of their ethnic knowledge need to be integrated in biodiversity conservation. The religious tenets of this tribe have great potential to help in conservation of some economically useful plants such as Areca catechu (Supari), Ficus religiosa (Pipal), Madhuca longifolia (Mahua), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Semecarpus anacardium (Bhelwa), Shorea robusta (Sal) and Terminalia alata (Asan) in the entire region. The conservational insight of Santhals mirrors in their livestock composition indicating the domestication of fewer goat-sheep and more swine for meat protein aiming solely to avoid hunting of wild animals.