Fakir Mohan University in Balasore, Odisha, has received approval from the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division under the Union Ministry of Education for a research project focused on documenting the ethnozoological practices of tribal communities in the state. The project aims to preserve and validate traditional knowledge systems that are at risk of disappearing due to modernization.
Project Leadership and Scope
The research will be led by Bharat Bhusan Patnaik, with Manojit Bhattacharya serving as co-principal investigator. The initiative will involve postgraduate students of zoology in field-based research, providing them with hands-on experience in documenting indigenous knowledge. The study will concentrate on tribal populations in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts, areas known for diverse tribal groups such as Santal, Kolha, Bhumija, and Ho.
Objectives and Significance
According to Santosh Kumar Tripathy, Vice-Chancellor of Fakir Mohan University, the project aims to explore the rich but largely undocumented knowledge of indigenous communities related to animal use, traditional veterinary practices, and medicinal applications derived from animals. Odisha is believed to hold a vast repository of ethnozoological knowledge developed over centuries through close interaction between humans, animals, and ecosystems including forests, wetlands, and coastal areas. However, rapid modernization and the declining transfer of oral traditions have put this knowledge at risk of being lost forever.
"The need to document and validate this indigenous knowledge is urgent," said Tripathy. He added that the project will bridge traditional practices with modern animal science, veterinary research, and ecological studies. Students involved in the program will conduct field surveys, interact with traditional healers and tribal communities, and record practices such as ethno-veterinary treatments, animal husbandry techniques, and conservation methods.
Research Approach
The research will adopt a multi-phase approach, beginning with a literature review and conceptual training, followed by field documentation, data analysis, and scientific validation. The findings will be compiled into reports, digital repositories, and policy briefs, which could support curriculum development and future research initiatives. The Odisha government has also sanctioned Rs 30 lakh to Fakir Mohan University for the promotion of Indian Knowledge Systems in state public universities, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP).
