Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Livelihood Options and Conservation Strategies among Chuktia Bhunjia tribe of Orissa, India

This paper documents traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of a tribal community in Indian state of Orissa. It documents 193 plant species used variously for different purposes. The study being to understand the biodiversity conservation ethos vis-à-vis knowledge system, it explores the collection of practice and use pattern of various ethnobotanical species and captures different institutional set up, beliefs and practices related to resources use through narrative methods, participatory observation and case study. However, openended questionnaires were administered to collect the required information. It finds that the TEK possessed by this tribe is not only a means of ecological conservation but also a way forward for sustainable livelihood and food security among them. But the gradual state interventions towards mainstreaming this community along with forest policies and market demand towards forest resources have attracted outsiders to this region leading not only to ecological deterioration but have pushed them to vulnerability and threatened to knowledge system. Therefore given the implication of TEK alongside their culture in ecosystem, it urges to take utmost care to preserve traditional culture that can preserve the biodiversity sustainably.