IBSD holds forth on indigenous knowledge systems
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 28 2026: The Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal, a constituent institute of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), organised a societal development lecture on "Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Viksit Bharat 2047" today at the BRIC-IBSD Campus at Takyel.

The lecture focused on the importance of India's rich indigenous knowledge and their potential contribution to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with particular emphasis on biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, agriculture, sustainable resource management and the need to connect traditional wisdom with modern scientific research.

Dr Joram Aniya, a member of NITI Aayog, stressed the need to understand, preserve and carry forward indigenous knowledge systems in a rapidly changing world.

She observed that a large section of society continues to remain connected to indigenous ways of life through villages and communities, adding that the challenge is to preserve the knowledge accumulated over generations and make it relevant to future generations.

Dr Aniya stated that indigenous knowledge is closely linked to nature, with traditional communities observing changes in the natural environment to guide agricultural activities.

Recalling her own experience, she said her mother and people in her village would observe the blooming of particular flowers, the appearance of fruits and changes in weather to determine the appropriate time for sowing crops.

Such practices represented an understanding of natural cycles developed through generations of close interaction with nature, she said.

However, with changing lifestyles and increasing dependence on modern systems, several traditional practices are gradually being forgotten, she said.

Referring to traditional agricultural resource-management systems, including methods of bringing water from the hills, Dr Aniya questioned whether such systems could be scientifically improved and modernised instead of being simply abandoned.

Citing the example of Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, she highlighted the traditional agricultural system of the Apatani community, where paddy cultivation is integrated with fish farming.

The traditional agricultural landscape of Ziro has also emerged as an important tourism attraction, particularly with the advent of the Ziro Music Festival, she said.

Biotechnology, she suggested, could be explored to reduce soil erosion, conserve soil and water, and strengthen agricultural systems while preserving biodiversity, fish populations and the natural beauty of the landscape.

The objective should be to support the traditional system rather than replace it, Dr Aniya said.

She stressed that indigenous knowledge should not merely be preserved as folklore but should be studied and validated using modern scientific tools and methods.

Linking the discussion to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, she called upon research scholars, scientists and others associated with scientific institutions to reflect on their responsibility to preserve indigenous knowledge and biodiversity.

Dr Nanaocha Sharma, Director (Additional Charge), BRIC-IBSD, highlighted the Institute's efforts to conserve and sustainably utilise India's rich bioresources, particularly those of the North-Eastern region.

He stressed the need to bridge indigenous knowledge with modern science to promote innovation, sustainable livelihoods and conservation.

He also informed that BRIC-IBSD has filed applications for GI tags for two varieties of black rice from Manipur and called for greater synergy between traditional wisdom and modern science towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 .

The programme was also attended by Dr RK Radhesana Devi, Director of Planning Department; Dr RK Tombisana Singh, Joint Director of Planning Department and other officials of the institute were also present.

The programme also featured the release of the book "A Compendium of Medicinal Plants of the Family Zingiberaceae from North-East India", which is expected to contribute to greater awareness, documentation and scientific understanding of the region's rich medicinal plant resources.

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