"Traditional" use in a global world: Unsustainable harvesting drives species to extinction

Abstract

Traditional knowledge is crucial in illustrating how faunal resources are exploited for a variety of purposes, ranging from food to the exploitation of their parts as decorative accents and even traditional medicine. However, unrestrained use may endanger the existence of the species. In terms of traditional usage and hunting status, very little study has been undertaken in India and much less so in the western Himalayas (Jammu & Kashmir). Five ethnic groups' information on ethnobiology and hunting was gathered through semi-structured and open-ended questionnaires, group discussions, and interviews. Utilizing R software version 4.0.0, the data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and ordination methods (Principal Component Analysis). Three categories—single, double, and multiple uses—were used to classify the traditional uses. In the current study, we documented ethnozoological applications of 25 wild species from 12 families in the western Himalayan region. The most frequently used animal part was meat (29.2%), and the highest priority of the local people was for medicinal usage (29.3%). Across ethnic groups, the Bakarwal and Gujjar showed greater similarity in use, whereas the least overlap was observed between Dogra and Kashmiri. Meanwhile, a single species (Glaucidium radiatum) was unique in being used by Dogra ethnic group only. Finally, we evaluated the protection status of the species and based upon the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WPA) categorization it was observed that 48% belonged to Schedule-I, 4% belonged to Schedule-II, 16% belonged to Schedule-III, and 12% belonged to Schedule-IV. The study discovered that the indigenous population relies on the Schedule-I species with high use value was observed for species like Ursus thibetanus (60), Moschus moschiferus (0.57), Panthera pardus (0.52) and Cervus elaphus hanglu (0.38). These species require attention by immediately addressing unsustainable harvesting and encouraging educational efforts directed at all stakeholders, from collectors to end users. This study can be used as a starting point for learning how ethnobiological studies might help build sustainable long-term conservation and management plans for animal resources in the Himalayas.

Crop species diversity: A key strategy for sustainable food system transformation and climate resilience

“…Unsustainable harvesting practices including clear‐cutting can have severe, lasting consequences on the environment (Semenya & Maroyi, 2019). Furthermore, as species are removed in large quantities, the ecological functions they perform within their habitats may be compromised, affecting other dependent species and disrupting the overall ecosystem equilibrium (Haq et al., 2023; Lindenmayer & Fischer, 2006). To mitigate the risks associated with habitat degradation, sustainable harvesting strategies, such as selective harvesting, rotational harvesting, and community‐based conservation, are needed to balance human needs and preserving the integrity of natural habitats.…”

Research on the Path of Aiding Integrating Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture into Biochemistry Teaching Curriculum with the Artificial Intelligence Technologies

“…With the continuous updating and development of Ethnosciences and humanistic education concepts, more and more educators realize that combining scientific knowledge with traditional or local culture is an effective teaching path that can not only strengthen students' sense of national identity but also stimulate their interest in learning. A preprint which uunder Review at Biodiversity and Conservation from Rainer W. Bussmann et al indicates that increasing the promotion and education of traditional knowledge and local culture in the field of ecological protection can help improve the tendency of students and researchers to protect local natural resources and ecological diversity [11]. A study in the teaching of chemistry also shows that increasing traditional culture and ethnic science education can improve the teaching effectiveness of chemistry courses [12].…”