Traditional forest knowledge and sustainable forestry: A north-east India perspective

Forests in the Asian context are part of a cultural landscape linked to livelihood concerns of traditional societies particularly those living close to nature and natural resources. From a typical forestry management perspective, timber extraction has always been a priority. However, in the present day context and circumstances, where forest resources are rapidly being degraded in the Asian tropics, the issues involved are more about sustainable forestry for economic benefits (timber and non-timber forest products) to the society, and the conservation of biodiversity through a protected area network. An understanding of the ways in which forest resources are perceived by the forest dwellers on the one hand and by the forest managers on the other is critical for designing strategies for sustainable forestry in the Asian context. There is an increasing realization that today we need to move beyond formal knowledge based on silvicultural issues, and find appropriate linkages with traditional forest knowledge generated over generations by forest dwellers through an experiential process of trial and error. Strengthening linkages between knowledge systems using community participatory management approaches is now seen as critical for sustainable forestry.