Understanding indigenous knowledge in sustainable management of natural resources in China : Taking two villages from Guizhou Province as a case

This paper documents two ethnic groups (The Dong of Zhanli Village and the Buyi of Guntang Village in Guizhou Province, China) who use traditional knowledge in managing natural resources sustainably. Traditional regulations significantly influence villagers’ practice of resource management and family planning. Indigenous knowledge plays an important role in the sustainable development of rural villages but it is also fast disappearing. This shows that development practices need to involve indigenous knowledge to achieve sustainable development in the long run.