Traditional knowledge, weather prediction and bioindicators : A case study in Mizoram, Northeastern India

207-211The tribal peoples of Mizoram formerly forecasted the weather through applications of long-standing Traditional Ecological Knowledge. In this study, 16 distinct bioindicators for weather forecasting based were documented working with tribal peoples. The bioindicators were based mainly on the recognition of unique situations, the behaviour of insects, birds and mammals, characteristics of plants, and location, timing and patterns of clouds, lightning, wind, moon, sun and stars. The successful application of the forecasting knowledge is based on comparison with past events, good prognosis, close observation and a thorough understanding of the local environment. Community members, cultural leaders and local elders have observed recent anomalies in the weather, with unusual rains and abrupt changes in temperature. Due to this phenomenon, some plant species are changing their growth patterns. This type of Traditional Knowledge has excellent potential for wider application, yet, in Mizoram, as elsewhere, there is a threat to people’s livelihoods and bicultural diversity. Today, more than ever, there is an urgent need to document all traditional knowledge and folklore among the diverse ethnic communities before the traditional cultures are completely lost

Ethnozoological Diversity of Northeast India: Empirical Learning with Traditional Knowledge Holders of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh

18-30Northeast India harbors rich floral and faunal biodiversity. In their co-existence with the surrounding faunal resources, the native communities of the region have accumulated a rich body of ethno-zoological knowledge, which is now threatened due to globalization and other forces. In view of the importance of Ethnozoological resources in food, medicine and health, it has investigated and documented the vanishing Ethnozoological knowledge from different tribal communities of Arunachal and Mizoram. A field survey was made to collect primary source data. Further, secondary data were gathered through available literature and on-line sources. The primary data were documented through personal interviews using open-ended questions and group discussions with the experienced elderly people. A total of 39 aquatic and terrestrial species being used by Adi tribal peoples of East Siang district as food, medicine and/or for spiritual and cultural purposes were documented. We recorded Ethnozoological information from communities of Mizoram state on a total of 48 faunal species, of which 35 were reported to be used commonly for ethno-medical purposes, to treat coughs, asthma, tuberculosis, paralysis, earache, weakness, muscular pain, malarial fever, convulsion, diabetes, etc. We found that the Ethnozoological knowledge among young M<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">izo tribal members, as well as younger Adi tribal members, was less than that of the older people in these communities. This information is still preliminary, and further scientific validation is required for a more complete understanding of the dynamics of these knowledge systems, their role in supporting human welfare is undeniable. Based on these findings, it is concluded that there is ample scope for collection, compilation and exploration of the bio-efficacy of ethnofaunal diversity in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, and sustainable conservation of species used in ethnomedicines and food systems must be ensured. </span

DNA barcoding of freshwater fishes from Brahmaputra River in Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot

The genetic diversity of freshwater fishes is still anonymous in several drainage systems in northeast India. Moreover, the comparative genetic analysis is largely sporadic to judge their actual diversity and true status. We generated 89 DNA barcodes of 40 morphologically identified fishes collected from two major tributaries of Brahmaputra River. The comparative study revealed that most of the species were clearly discriminated by their estimated genetic distances and monophyletic clustering in Bayesian (BA) tree. Considering the genetic divergence (2%) for species discrimination boundary, the high genetic diversity (2.36–10.73%) was detected in 11 species (Macrognathus pancalus, Channa punctata, Puntius terio, Bangana ariza, Garra arupi, Badis badis, Mystus vittatus, Rita rita, Gagata cenia, Mastacembelus armatus, and Danio dangila), which signified the occurrence of concealed genetic diversity in this ecozone. However, the insignificant genetic distances were also noticed in few reportedly valid species: Channa stiktos and C. ornatipinnis (1.43%); Mystus ngasep, M. rufescens, and M. carcio (0.4%); Glyptothorax trilineatus, G. churamanii, and G. verrucosus (0.4%); Botia almorhae, B. histrionica, B. lohachata, and B. rostrata (0–0.4%); Barilius barilia and B. vagra (0.4%); Batasio merianiensis and B. tengana (1.2%); Puntius chola and P. fraseri (0%), Schistura beavani and S. paucireticulata (0%); hence to validate this species, generation of more barcode data was required from their types or topotypes. The present study would help to develop conservation schemes for the native species and collegiate ecosystem, which associated with the livelihoods of millions of ethnic communities in this region