Answer: 

Introduction:

Tribal knowledge systems represent inter-generational wisdom of the indigenous people passed on to the present times through centuries of experience and learnings.

Body:

Tribal knowledge systems are unique due to following reasons:

• Nature-centered: Tribal knowledge is focused around nature as they have co-existed with the forests and its flora and fauna. It often has a strong emphasis on the connection between humans and nature, recognizing the interdependence of all living things.
  • For example, the Aka tribe of Arunachal Pradesh use traditional ways of hunting, fishing and extraction of materials to ensure sustainability whereas the contractors from mainstream communities engage in overexploitation of forest resources.
• Way of acquiring knowledge: Tribal knowledge is deeply rooted in the experiences and practices of the community while mainstream knowledge systems are based on rigorous refining and questioning of ideas through discussions and scientific verification.’
  • For example, the awareness among tribals of Andaman & Nicobar about a wall of sea helped them against Tsunami in 2004.
• Way of preserving knowledge: Tribal knowledge systems are stored in oral methods like songs and stories, while mainstream knowledge is preserved in books and recordings.
• Interdisciplinary: Tribal knowledge is highly holistic and interdisciplinary, often encompassing a wide range of areas including agriculture, medicine, spirituality, and governance. Mainstream knowledge focuses more on specialization.
• Role of tradition: Tribal knowledge systems promote integrated learning for the community. In mainstream society, knowledge and traditions have bifurcated, with traditions becoming a subject of study instead of mode of studying.
• Ways of promoting knowledge: Tribal knowledge systems are non-exclusionary and marked by equity. Mainstreams knowledge systems are mired in barriers like cost of education, patent protections, social exclusion etc.

Conclusion:

Tribal and mainstream societies are not mutually exclusive systems. Constant interaction and mutual dependence have enriched both. The indigenous knowledge must not be treated as vestige, rather it should be encouraged because the vast expanse of this traditional knowledge is way beyond the scope of mainstream knowledge. Their knowledge can be a game-changer for the way for India to achieve its sustainable development goals. Recent initiatives like the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) initiative, Indian Knowledge System (IKS) cell under Ministry of Education, etc. are some steps towards recording and using this vast repository of knowledge.