FOLKLORE AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Introduction
Biodiversity, whether plant or animal, wild or domesticated, naturally grown or cultivated, forms an integral part of human civilization, well
being and food security, which makes an essential contribution to the development of the country. Although human beings are just one small
part of it, they put enormous pressure on biodiversity and environment. As human population expands at an alarming rate, biodiversity
comes under threat owing to destruction of natural habitats, increasing pollution, urbanization, deforestation, conversion of wetlands, and
driving out natural ecology, wildlife, etc. Mismanagement or unsustainable management of agriculture, fisheries and forestry accelerate this
destructive process. But, biodiversity is the ultimate resource on which food security depends. If food needs are met through exploiting non-
renewable resources or degrading the environment, there is no guarantee of food security in the long term. Hence, expanding food
production to feed the ever-increasing population is a formidable challenge that can be overcome by a combined goal of biodiversity
conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, agricultural production and equitable distribution. This is to explore and analyze some of
the ecology based and biodiversity related folkloric materials of our country, which would raise our level of understanding of nature, plants
and animal resources, around us as well as their resource management issues. Folklore, an important element of culture and a rich treasure
of human experiences, provides us clues about how the ancient people of India maintained the ecosystem governed by the folkloric
traditions and ensured food security.
Conservation of biodiversity is vital for maintaining the Earth’s environment and sustaining life on the planet. There are a number of ways in
which the richness of biodiversity helps in maintaining the ecological system. Conservation of biodiversity is important for the survival of
living beings on Earth. Hence, a lot of emphases is being given on the conservation of biodiversity these days.
Due to human activities, numerous varieties of animals go extinct each year. Western Black Rhinoceros, Dodo, Tasmanian tiger, Golden Toad,
Woolly Mammoth, Caribbean Monk Seal, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and Japanese Sea Lion are some of the species of animals that have gone
extinct. Lemur, Mountain Gorilla, Vaquita, Sea Turtles, Amur Leopard, and Tiger are some of the species that are on the verge of extinction.
Apart from these many species of plants and trees including Lepidodendron, Araucaria Mirabilis, Wood Cycad and Kokia Cookie have gone
extinct and many species are endangered.
 FOLKLORIC MATERIALS
• India has a rich legacy of folklore that serves as a reliable index to complex traditions and beliefs of our people. The ancient people of our
country had traditional knowledge about enormous diversity of plants and animals and on impressive variety of habitats and ecosystems.
They acquired this knowledge about biodiversity that ensures and sustains the essential ecological functions on earth by dint of their
experiences through generations. This traditional knowledge base is preserved and perpetuated through legends, stories, proverbs,
popular sayings, taboos, superstitions, rites and rituals of people over generations that help in conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity on earth. Trees, animals, birds and reptiles have all been the subjects of reverence or worship in various communities
worldwide either because of the fear and awe they invoke or because we need them for our survival. In this connection, a few examples
may be cited to show as to how the wisdom of our ancient people expressed in folklore used to play an important role in the conservation
of natural resources and ensured steady supply of food materials.

Plant Folklore
• An ancient text says “God is a forest. Worship the forest”. Traditional Hindu society recognized individual plant species as objects of
worship, based on accumulated empirical knowledge and identized value for one reason or other. Tree worship was in vogue all over India
irrespective of castes, creed, religion and tribes and is still continued in many parts of India. The banyan tree, batab riksha or bat (Ficus
bengalensis), the peepul or aswatha tree (Ficus religiosa), the wood apple or bel tree (Aeg ale marmelos) and the neem tree (Azard irachta)
are considered highly sacred trees in India. Many religious groups in India worship the banyan tree. Even now the aged women in Bengal
are found to pour water and water-soaked grams and molasses or sugar cake at the buttress of sacred trees during the summer months. It
seems pouring of water helps in survival of these sacred trees in driest months of the year, molasses/ sugar cake fed by resident ants that
thrive and help in pollination of trees, and water-soaked grams fed by the nesting and roosting birds help in the dispersal of seeds and
thereby propagation of trees. This shows how this simple offering helps maintain intricate rural ecology as well as both plant and animal
life. Thus, religious veneration may form one of the important routes to conservation of our biodiversity and eventually food security of the
country.
• The notion on which the worship of tree is based is the belief that trees have souls like human beings and hence treated accordingly as
animate object. As such both tribal and non-tribal people consider it a sin to cut down sacred trees like bat, bel, neem, naryel (coconut),
etc. The people of Bengal believe that the felling of a coconut tree (naryel) is tantamount to killing a Brahmin, which is considered as a
heinous sin (Pramanik and Nandi, 2003). Taboo regarding coconut tree is also prevalent in Africa. Frazer (1963) reports that the Africans
regard the destruction of coconut tree as equivalent to matricide, because that tree gives life and nourishment as a mother does her
child. In Northeastern India, the Nagas believe that the destruction of forests in close proximity of their villages will bring a loss of
prosperity and cause diseases (Chanhk ija, 1996). Several studies reveal that there are more than 15000 sacred groves with 318 plant
species in Kerala and in Maharastra 40 sacred groves varied in size from 30 hectares to less than one hectare (Pra manik, 2004). Sacred
groves protect a lot of plant and animal species valuable for food, medicinal and other uses. Despite increased pressures, sacred groves
shelter many plant and animal species, which might have vanished elsewhere in the surrounding environment.
• Other trees may not be worshipped in a religious sense, but form part of socio-cultural traditions. The socially valued multipurpose oak
(Quercus) species of Kumaon and Garhwal region of western Himalayas are important for fodder and fuel wood and serve a variety of
functions as an important component of the mountain forest ecosystem by supporting rich biodiversity, improving soil fertility and
conserving soil moisture (Ramakrishna et al., 1994). Besides, oaks are the focal point of much of the folk music and dance of this region
and thus it forms a part of our culture. Similarly, the bamboo species, which conserve nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium in the system
and used for a variety of traditional activities, such as house construction, making household utensils, tubing for water transportation,
thatching materials (called ‘poor man’s timber’), food (shoots), etc., are also highly valued by all communities in northeast India. The key
functions performed by these socio-culturally valued and ecologically keystone species contribute to biodiversity conservation. Without
forests our fields would soon be ruined and then not all the gold or jewels in the world will be able to satisfy the hungry stomachs of our
people.
 Animal Folklore
• It is to be pointed out that the worship of animals is widespread in India. The Hindus all over India consider the cow as sacred animal. In
the Puranas, the legends and stories, the cow is identified with the goddess Bhaga- bati. The puja is offered to the goddess Bhaga -bati
taking extra-ordinary care of the cows through ceremonial bath, smearing vermilion on the forehead, garlanding, etc. (Roy, 2000;
Pramanik and Nandi, 2003). The Hindus consider it a grave sin to kill a cow. The taboo of killing a cow has a great beneficial effect to
domesticated biodiversity conservation and food security. Most of the deities in India are adorned with their animal that carry them
(Swami Nirmalananda, 1998). As such many wild animals, such as tigers, lions, elephants, and birds such as peacock, owl, swan, etc., have
been revered as vehicles of gods and goddesses and worshipped. Such belief and practices continue in one form or another even today in
certain sections of Indian society, particularly the rural folk and the aboriginal tribes living in the forest. Many tribal people believe that
hunting during the mating season is unethical and killing of animals at the time of mating is sin. Hunters belonging to various communities
of Northeastern parts of India do not kill deer during March to May, when pregnant females present in the herd.
• Birhor, one of the scheduled tribes in India, stubbornly observes animal taboo during trapping and hunting of monkeys (Bose, 1973).
Monkey (Hanuman Langur, Presbytes entellus) is their favourite prey animal even then they never kill a baby monkey as they consider it a
grave offence to disregard this taboo. In this way they consciously or subconsciously maintain the sustainable use of their animal food
supply and help conserve the biodiversity. The fishers (including crabshers also), honey collectors, wood- cutters etc. of Sundar-ban do
not kill the wild animals and infringe the sanctity of forest, for fear of Bono-bibi, presiding deity of the forest (Nandi and Pramanik, 1994;
Pramanik and Nandi, 2003). The observance of these taboos helps preserve the animal/ aquatic resources from unrestricted destruction.
These are some of the rich treasure of Indian folklores, which, if gainfully brought along with other biodiversity related folklore under
awareness drive, can ensure steady food supply not only to the community by conserving animal life, but also to the country as a whole
as such belief and value systems are on the wane.
 Fish Folklore
• The fisheries resources are gradually dwindling for various reasons since two-thirds of world fisheries are being harvested beyond
sustainability. The want of effective protective regulations is one of them. The ancient Hindus prescribe a close season from the middle of
October to the end of January when the fish descend to the sea after completing the act of spawning (Gupta, 1908). In Bengal the social
practices of Hindus prohibit the eating of Hilsa from the last day of Durga Puja to Sri Panchami which corresponds to the spawning period
of the species (Hora, 1948-1953). There are other rules which forbid fish eating during the months of Baisakh (April – May) and Kartick
(Oct. – Nov.). Baisakh is the driest period of the year when fish life becomes precarious. They struggle for survival due to shrinking of water
bodies in the country. Several species, duthe month of Kartick, the water level rapidly declines and the spent fish and fry are in a hurry to
leave the pools and return to the larger water bodies when fishes are extensively captured (Gupta, 1908). This kind of taboo is found in Sri
Lanka also and those who catch the struggling fish during the driest period are despised by the society (Ullu-wishewa, 1995). However, our
ancient people rightly and very wisely thought that if people did not eat fish, there would be no inducement to catch fish. And most
necessary protection was given to the fish at those times when it is most needed to ensure future supply (Gupta, 1908).
• There are some socio-religious practices, developed through centuries, also help in sustainable use of fish stock. The traditional caste
system was an effective mechanism for conservation of fisheries resources. From time immemorial fishing as an occupation was coined
strictly to particular communities (Naidu, 1939). So, infltration to fishing occupation even in the recent past was not possible by non-
fishermen due to social stigma attached to it. Besides, the Hindu widows of high caste (Brahmin) and Vaishnavs of our country abstain
from eating fish. The Brahmins who wish to live up to the orthodox standard of purity eschew fish (Das, 1931). There are other taboos and
restrictions with regard to fish eating. The use of particular fishes, for example, Singhi (Heteropneustes fossils), Gajal (Channa marulius),
etc. is forbidden among the higher classes (Chakraborty, 1932). Moreover, the Hindus observe mourning period at the death of family
members and eschew fish for the entire period. People, in whose houses there has been a case of small pox, chicken pox or measles, etc.,
avoid sh. It is true that these taboos are no longer found to be obeyed universally but they are almost strictly observed in more orthodox
circles (Chakraborty, 1932). Vedic wisdom expounded on the need for conservation of natural gifts. The rituals related to conservation
were instituted to ensure these treasures were not desecrated. Thus, it is high time to explore ways and means to conserve bioresources
of our country through socio-cultural principle and practicing this period, are in roe and waiting for the monsoon to liberate them and
perform the reproductive function. In
 Biodiversity
• In simple terms, biodiversity is the number and variety of living organisms present in a specific geographical region. It includes
various plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they have and the ecosystems formed by them.
• It relates to the diversity among living organisms on the earth, including the diversity within and between the species and that within and
between the ecosystems they form.
• Several international conventions focus on biodiversity issues: the Convention on Biological Diversity (year of entry into force: 1993), the
Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(1975), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2004), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971),
the World Heritage Convention (1972) and the International Plant Protection Convention (1952), the International Whaling Commission
(1946).
• The objectives of the CBD are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising from commercial and other utilization of genetic resources. The agreement covers all ecosystems, species,
and genetic resources.
• The CMS, or the Bonn Convention aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. Parties to the
CMS work together to conserve migratory species and their habitats by providing strict protection for the most endangered migratory
species, by concluding regional multilateral agreements for the conservation and management of specific species or categories of species,
and by undertaking co-operative research and conservation activities.
• The objectives of the Treaty are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture
and food security. The Treaty covers all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, while its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-
sharing covers a specific list of 64 crops and forages. The Treaty also includes provisions on Farmers’ Rights.
• The Nagoya Protocol sought to ensure commercial and research utilization of genetic resources led to sharing its benefits with the
government and the community that conserved such resources.
• India’s Biological Diversity Act 2002 (BD Act), is in close synergy with the Nagoya Protocol.
• The BD Act was hailed as an important step towards preserving India’s vast biodiversity, as it recognized the sovereign right of countries over
its natural resources.
• Under the BD Act, an important regulatory mechanism was the emphasis on access and benefit sharing (ABS) to local populations.
• The BD Act seeks to address issues of managing bio-resources in the most de-centralized manner possible. The BD Act envisages three
layered structures: the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, the state biodiversity boards (SSBs) at the state level and
biodiversity management committees (BMCs) at the local level.
• It assumes significance because it imposes prohibitions on the transfer of genetic material originating from India without specific approval
from competent authorities.
• The act also strengthens the country’s stand with respect to anyone claiming an intellectual property right over biodiversity-related
knowledge.
• Earth is a beautiful planet which has given us many things which occur naturally. Natural resources, rivers, vallys, oceans, different species of
animals and beautiful varieties of plants and trees are among some of these.
• In today’s world, we are busy developing our surroundings and spoiling our beautiful environment. Today, we have exploited most of the
things that were available abundantly in nature. Thus, there arises a need to conserve these natural things. Among other things, there is a
serious need for the conservation of biodiversity.
• Conservation of biodiversity is important for many reasons. Here are some of the main reasons to conserve biodiversity:
1. Process of Food Chain: Different species of animals and plants serve as the source of food for other animals and living organisms. Thus, conserving
biodiversity help to keep the food chain among the living organisms.
2. Nutritional Needs: The decline in the variety of plants and animals would mean the decline in the variety of food we eat. So, this is likely to result in
nutritional deficiencies.
3. Cleaner Air: Plants and trees have a greater ability to purify the air and keep the atmosphere clean. As there is a decrease in the number and types of trees
and plants, it impacts the quality of air in a negative way.
4. Better Cultivation of Crops: Fertility of soil is maintained by many insects, organisms and microorganisms work on different levels. So we have to maintain
the level of microorganism which is better for the cultivation of crops.
5. For Medical Reasons: For making different medicines many species of trees and plants are used so as to cure various diseases.
• Ecological role: Species of many kinds perform some of the other functions in an ecosystem. Every organism, besides fulfilling its own needs, also contributes
something useful to different other organisms in the environment. Species capture, store and utilize energy, produce and decompose organic materials, are
part of cycles of water and nutrients throughout the ecosystem, fix gases in the atmosphere and also help regulate the climate. Thus, they help in soil
formation, reducing pollution, protection of land, water and air resources. These functions of biodiversity are important for ecosystem functions and
stability.
• Ecosystem services: Biodiversity underpins the basis of all the ecosystem services on the planet.
• Provisioning Services: Various plants, animals and microorganisms which form the biodiversity, provide us with foods such as cereals, fishes etc. , fiber for our
clothes such as cotton, wool etc., fuelwood for survival as well as pharmaceutical products such as neem, tul-si etc.
• Regulating services: Biodiversity regulates the local as well as global climate, manages the global levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases, maintains
freshwater quality by vegetation slowing runoff, absorbs carbon by acting as carbon sinks etc. Thus biodiversity regulates the life and life processes on the
planet.
• Supporting services: Biodiversity helps in pollination, nutrient cycling as well as recycling, greenhouse gas reduction by sequestration.
• Social and cultural services: Biodiversity provides us with aesthetic pleasure. It provides recreational avenues and rich biological diversity encourages tourism
in the region. Many communities and cultures have co-evolved with the surroundings and the resources provided by a biologically diverse environment.
Hence, it performs an important social role as well. Important services which are provided by biodiversity are : Recreation and relaxation n Tourism especially
ecotourism Art, Design and inspiration Spiritual experiences and a sense of place
• Food web maintenance: Biodiversity helps in maintaining food webs as higher the diversity of an ecosystem, more complex is going to be the food webs
because there are so many options to eat. Therefore, higher chances of survival of every species are there. This results in more stable food chains and food
webs.
• Scientific role: Biodiversity help in scientific research, education and monitoring. For example, research about new genetic materials with the help of gene
pools. Biodiversity, thus, helps in understanding the functioning of life and the role that each species plays in sustaining ecosystems of which we humans are
also a part.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is a primary cause which drives animals and plants to extinction. The habitat loss and fragmentation
have been through changes of land use, in particular, the conversion of natural ecosystems to cropland, development of infrastructure
projects like rails and roadways, increasing urbanization and mining activities .As per the Living Planet report, there has been about a 30%
decline in wetlands in the last 40 years. Wetlands have been primarily reclaimed for agriculture and urbanization. Also, about 50% of the
tropical and subtropical forests and 45% of the temperate grasslands have been converted for human use. Besides total loss, the
degradation of many habitats by pollution also threatens the survival of many species. When large habitats are broken up into smaller
fragments because of different human activities, mammals and birds which require large territories and certain animals with migratory
habits are adversely affected, causing a decline in their population.
• Over-exploitation of species: Unsustainable use of ecosystems and over-exploitation of biodiversity are a major reason behind
biodiversity loss. Over-hunting or poaching of species, overfishing and overharvesting of plant products can quickly lead to a decline in
biodiversity. Changing consumption patterns of humans is often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable exploitation of natural
resources. Many species which got extinct in the past 5 centuries, like Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon, were subject to over-
exploitation by humans.
• Introduction of alien species: Plants, animals and microorganisms transported deliberately or unintentionally from an outside
geographical region can cause great damage to native species by competing with them for food and shelter, spreading diseases unknown
to them, causing genetic changes through the process of interbreeding with native species, and disrupting various aspects of their food
chains and the physical environment. For example, in India Water hyacinth was introduced by the British for beautification. But over time,
it has become an invasive species, clogging rivers, lakes and other water bodies, thus not allowing any aquatic life to grow and survive.
• Environmental pollution: The accumulation of Pollution such phosphorus and nitrogen largely from excess fertilizers running off farmland,
harmful chemicals firm urban and suburban runoff, industrial effluents etc. which are discharged into the natural water bodies. For
example, oil spill off the port of Enno re in Chennai in 2017. Similarly, plastic pollution causes the death of animals. Also, air pollution from
industries and vehicles has resulted in the death of many bird species in urban areas.
• Global climate change: Climate change is projected to become a progressively more significant threat to biodiversity in the coming
decades. Already, changes in the flowering and migration patterns as well as in the distribution of various species have been observed
throughout the world. These changes have altered food chains and created mismatches within ecosystems where different species have
evolved synchronized inter-dependence.
• Co-extinctions: When a particular species becomes extinct, the plants and animals associated with it in an obligatory way also come under
the danger of becoming extinct. For example, When a host fish species becomes extinct, its unique assemblage of parasites also meets the
same fate.
• Natural causes: Like floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters also cause loss of biodiversity.
• Methods that can help in the conservation of biodiversity are
1. Control Population: The greater the population the higher the needs which would result in further exploitation of flora and fauna and
decline in biodiversity. For the conservation of biodiversity, we have to control the human population and allow other species of plants
and animals to replenish on our planet.
2. Control Pollution: The changing climate, deteriorating air quality and the growing amount of pollution on land and water bodies are
leading to different types of diseases in many. It is essential to reduce the activities leading to pollution so as to conserve biodiversity.
3. Reduce Deforestation: Due to deforestation, there is the loss of habitat. Due to this reason, wild animals are unable to survive in the new
environment and die.
4. Avoid Wastage: We need to understand that natural resources are not only essential for us but are also vital for the survival of other
species. We must thus utilize only as much as we require them so that these remain available in abundance in nature for future use.
5. Spread Awareness: Apart from this, one of the best methods to conserve biodiversity is by spreading awareness. The government can do
so at a bigger level. While we can spread awareness by word of mouth and through social media.
6. Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for the protection of wetlands, in the States.
7. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System also provides assistance to the States for the
management of wetlands including Ramsar sites in the country.
8. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered species.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats‘ has been modified by including a new component namely
‘Recovery of Endangered Species‘ and 16 species have been identified for recovery viz. Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin,
Hangul, Nil-giri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugong, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer,
Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.
1. Under the ‘Recovery of Endangered Species’ component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’
for the recovery of endangered species viz. Hangul in Jammu and Kashmir, Snow Leopard in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, Vulture in Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, Swiftlet in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Nil-giri Tahr in
Tamil Nadu, San-gai Deer in Manipur, the government has to spend lakhs of rupees.
2. Protected Areas, viz, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves all over the country covering the
important habitats have been created as per the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to provide better protection to wildlife,
including threatened species and their habitat.
3. Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz, ‘Integrated
Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection and conservation to wildlife.
• Conservation of biodiversity is of utmost importance. We must all make efforts to conserve biodiversity rather than contributing towards
its declination. Thus, the richness of biodiversity is essential for the survival of living beings on Earth.
• India has a very high number of scared groves that play an important role in biodiversity conservation because of various myths and
religious beliefs associated with them. Firstly, SGs have been conserving the biodiversity for many decades .But, nowadays, the attitude of
people has changed and this along with the mistrust of traditional beliefs has cause degradation of sacred groves all over India. For
improving their degraded condition, it is suggested that the local people living inside and around the SGs need to be taken into
confidence, so that long-term conservation goals can be achieved.