Documentation and preservation initiative of Traditional Knowledge in Meghalaya

Documentation and preservation initiative of Traditional Knowledge in Meghalaya

Traditional knowledge (TK) represents the cumulative wisdom, skills, and practices developed by indigenous communities over generations. However, with rapid socio-economic changes and cultural transitions, much of this invaluable knowledge is at risk of decline and possible extinction. Therefore, it is essential to preserve and document TK in a modern, standardized, and accessible form for future generations.

TERI, in collaboration with the Bio Resources Development Centre (BRDC) and supported by Northeastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, undertook a project on preservation and protection of traditional knowledge–Documentation initiatives in North East India. This initiative focused on identifying, documenting, and safeguarding traditional knowledge that holds both historical significance and continued relevance in present-day community practices. Furthermore, it aimed to promote indigenous knowledge among youth, enhance awareness among educators and students, and facilitated the integration of this knowledge into formal education systems.

TERI conducted a comprehensive TK survey across Ri-Bhoi and West Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya and developed a structured course curriculum, audio-visual documentation, and the Meghalaya Traditional Knowledge (MTK) Portal to facilitate systematic preservation, dissemination, and accessibility of indigenous knowledge systems.

Key achievements:

• Conducted four district-level stakeholder workshops across four districts of Meghalaya, to foster dialogue among key stakeholders.
• Documented 67 traditional herbal remedies for 29 major health-related ailments through extensive survey across Ri-Bhoi and West Garo Hills, along with other traditional knowledge practices.
• Developed a multimedia repository with 10 videos and 20 audio recordings to preserve traditional knowledge.
• Designed a comprehensive high school course curriculum integrating primary survey insights with secondary research for academic rigor.
• Organized four sensitization workshops in Shillong and Tura, engaging students and teachers from four districts to promote awareness on traditional knowledge preservation.

The course curriculum, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 was designed and submitted to the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya, for consideration and integration into school education. Additionally, ten video modules and twenty audio resources on traditional knowledge were developed and uploaded to the MTK portal, improving accessibility and outreach.