Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Wisdom Walk to conserve Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Biological Resources






Historically, our communities survived on their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) base. The products they manufactured formed part of their livelihood. Even today many local and indigenous communities meet their basic needs from the products they manufacture and sell based on their traditional knowledge. Maintenance of their health even now is based on traditional medicines derived from plants and other natural products. The developments of new technology, medicinal products, educational system etc. are major threat to the survival of many of these communities and their knowledge. TEK is generally associated with biological resources and is invariably an impalpable component of such biological resources.
In layperson’s words, TEK could be realized as knowledge which has been collected or accumulated by a community through years of experience, it is often attempted and tried out over long period of time, and it is also well adapted to local culture and environment. Traditional knowledge is deep rooted in every community across the globe. Such kind of knowledge system is vital for their well-being and for sustainable development. The traditional knowledge system has been developed by the communities to conserve and utilize the biological diversity of their surroundings.
Sources of TEK
If we look around in our environment, we will find out legion sources of TEK hidden in our villages, countryside, community etc. The main sources could are: farmers, community leaders, elder persons, folklore, painters, healers, shepherds etc. It is also apt to mention that TEK is locally appropriate and specifically adapted as per the requirement of local conditions, it provides a control in resources exploitation required for immediate survival, and it helps in having diversified production system without overexploitation of a single resource.
How to protect TEK
There are numerous reasons which depict the need to protect the TEK. “Until recently, western scientists have typically rejected the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples as anecdotal, non-quantitative, and unscientific.  Today the scientific importance of traditional knowledge is recognized and valued by those carrying out research in areas that are inhabited by indigenous peoples.  Educators also recognize the importance of using traditional knowledge in the classroom and there are currently many efforts to develop culturally relevant curricula for classrooms all across the globe.” (L. C. Sommer, C. E. Talus et.al, Fourteenth AR M Science Team Meeting Proceedings, Albuquerque,  New  Mexico, 2004).
 According to Berkes 1999, TEK is “[a] cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and belief, evolving by adaptive processes and handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationships of living beings (including humans) with  one another and with their environment.”
  1. To improve the livelihoods of TEK holders and communities- TEK is a valuable asset to indigenous and local communities who depend on TEK for their livelihood as well as to manage and exploit their local ecosystem in sustainable manner.
  2. To prevent biopiracy- Biopiracy refers either to the unauthorized extraction of biological resources and / or associated TEK or to the patenting, without compensation of spurious inventions based on such knowledge or resources.
  3. To prevent knowledge erosion- Documentation and transfer of TEK is urgently needed in view of the rapid erosion of this knowledge base.
  4. To conserve the environment - The traditional communities are intelligent and have made agriculture sustainable through their different agricultural practices. They create a balance between the environment and requirement.
  5. To conserve resources- Strategy for protection should take into account the fact that genetic resources and TEK are inextricably linked.


Here is a link to a documentary by Timo Holthoff, Learn2Change - Global Network of Educational Activists. https://youtu.be/0FeXrwf0YPM

Monday, June 1, 2015

A page for forest fire



1. This video show the destruction of my home texas.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqr2DNaMLiQ
2. Video shot by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows how quickly a wildfire is moving through Bastrop State Park. At least two-thirds of the 6,000 acre park have burned. (Sept. 6)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m67ZokFYl2A
3. Camera captures video and temperature as a high-intensity crown fire rolls through. From the International Crown Fire Modeling Experiments in the Northwest Territories. (2000)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvPa_yEEd4E
4.An overview of the International Crown Fire Modeling Experiments in Canada's Northwest Territories. (1997)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYup7cYKE3w
5. An overgrown canyon goes up in a firestorm as firefighters pull out in this major brush fire in Southern California. There is little they can do to save homes nestled amongst old timber growth without proper brush clearance. We stay as homes burn. Listen to the hiss of propane tanks and the pop of live ammo going off towards the end of the clip.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsfwiRfvB80
6. Malibu goes up yet again in this most recent incident (11-24-07). Footage shows homes burning as residents and firefighters do what they can to save what has not yet taken off. Additional footage shows fire advancing through upper Latigo Canyon in fuel strands that have not burned in 50 years...This is not footage that was taken off the television - this is footage that was shot right from the firelines by the poster.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkE7mVXf_GM
7. 9-11-2013 A grass/ bushfire started on bringelly rd and travelled fast towards Camden valley way . the fire was stopped by helicopters and also the hard work of fire rescue and the rfs- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC-dsOxS9d0
8. Night scenes of a forest fire with huge flames. Watch the vehicle lights of Hellenic Firefight Service as flames approaching them. Listen to the terrible "noise" a forest fire is making.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTTCvEgmjjo
9. Here is three hours of a crackling log fire in high quality sound. Its a blazing hot one for all my fellow pyros out there. Use headphones if you want to hear the holophonics of this soundscape. I will be posting more soundscapes soon, thanks and enjoy.- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25SV6zqTl1k











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