Kohima: Nagaland University, the only central university in the State, has received approval from the Ministry of Education to establish an Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Research Centre.
The research centre will study Indigenous knowledge systems of water management in agriculture and ethnic culinary practices among the tribal communities of Nagaland.
Nagaland is home to various indigenous tribes, each having its own distinct cultural practices, including unique approaches to water management and traditional cooking methods. These systems are crucial for the community’s agricultural livelihoods and cultural identity.
The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) is an innovative cell under the Ministry of Education.
It works towards spreading the rich heritage of the country and traditional knowledge in the field of arts and literature, agriculture, basic sciences, engineering and technology, architecture, management, and economics, among others.
Welcoming the new centre for the university, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “Nagaland is home to diverse indigenous tribes, each with unique cultures and practices, including traditional water management systems and ethnic culinary. This traditional knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture and ethnic culinary among the tribal community of Nagaland will be a resource for documentation and dissemination for further adoption for sustainability.”
Patnaik added, “Furthermore, based on the findings, the University can also make suggestions to the local communities on improving the system. Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the existing system is vital for understanding its sustainability, profitability, societal impact and replicability, under the present scenario of climate change.”
The traditional water management practices in Nagaland are diverse and deeply rooted in the community’s culture.
These include rainwater harvesting through ponds or wooden tanks, terracing for agricultural erosion control, spring water management, and the use of bamboo to create pipes for long-distance water transportation.
These practices are vital for both agriculture and the preservation of the environment.
Nagaland’s cuisine is characterized by bold flavours and local ingredients, with traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations.
Dr. Chitrasen Lairenjam, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering of Nagaland University (Medziphema Campus), said: “The project idea is to study the fundamentals involved on the practice done by the farmer in managing and sustaining the system. This project also aims to document and disseminate knowledge about these practices for future sustainability. Through research, education, and mentoring, the project will assess the relevance of these traditional systems in today’s climate and agricultural context, identify potential gaps, and suggest improvements.”
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He added, “The study will contribute to understanding the role of indigenous knowledge in sustaining agriculture in Nagaland amidst changing environmental conditions. The focus Area of this IKS Research Centre is the indigenous knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture, and traditional ethnic culinary among the tribal community of Nagaland for documentation, research, mentoring and dissemination of this knowledge.”
