Indigenous knowledge for sustainable development: A case study of Kurmi Mahatos

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge is considered the invaluable treasure of any particular community. It refers to unique traditional knowledge within a specific geographic area that facilitates indigenous cultural development. Sustainable development is an economically viable, environmentally, and socially beneficial process that balances the present and future communities' needs, for which preservation, promotion, and transmission are the primary requisites. The present study focuses on the Kurmi Mahatos, and their reliance on the traditional methods of using plant and animal species for medical assistance. Indigenous peoples and their knowledge are considered the guardians of the earth, as their conventional practices of medical assistance focus on managing natural resources to the fullest. Their knowledge represents a collection of cultural wisdom for natural resource management, along with the incorporation of caring and respect. Conserving their knowledge of medicinal plants and animals is vital to sustainable development. The S–W–O–C index highlights the chances between resistance and potentiality of this traditional practice.