Ethnobotany and the Indian Knowledge System (IKS): Preserving Traditional Wisdom for Sustainable Futures
Abstract
Ethnobotany and the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) are intricately linked, representing centuries of co-evolution between indigenous societies and their natural environments. This study discusses the significance of ethnobotany within the broader framework of IKS, highlighting the importance of traditional plant-based knowledge in dealing with contemporary concerns such as biodiversity loss, healthcare accessibility, and environmental sustainability. The study emphasizes how plant-based knowledge has benefited medicine, agriculture, ceremonies, and ecological balance throughout many centuries, drawing on Vedic literature, Ayurvedic principles, tribal customs, and oral traditions. There is a pressing need to record, conserve, and incorporate traditional knowledge into mainstream education, policy-making, and scientific study because modernization threatens to undermine ancient wisdom. Future generations can benefit from more locally relevant, culturally sensitive, and sustainable solutions if we acknowledge and value the ethnobotanical knowledge incorporated into IKS..
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