Young Goans documenting traditional knowledge

• October 23, 2026

Source: Herald Goa

In an era increasingly dominated by digital media, where reading habits and library visits are declining, preserving intergenerational knowledge has become essential. Young Goans are adopting innovative approaches, including social media, writing, and digital archives, to document and share Goa’s traditional knowledge, ecological wisdom, medicinal practices, and local customs. These initiatives aim to preserve the region’s everyday heritage and ensure its transmission to future generations.

Ann Dsouza Angell, a resident of Pilerne, has dedicated herself to documenting lesser-known plants and traditional forest remedies that risk disappearing as older generations pass away. After working for a decade as a UX researcher in the technology sector and living in metropolitan cities, she returned to Goa in 2023 for health reasons. Her interest in Ayurveda, which began with six months of study, gradually developed into a mission to preserve Goa’s rich heritage of forest-based remedies. Inspired by the memory of her grandfather, she began recording traditional remedies through written accounts and later expanded her efforts to video documentation to reach a wider audience.

Her work encourages people to recognise the cultural, ecological, and medicinal significance of plants found in their immediate surroundings. She emphasises that valuable traditional knowledge can often be discovered within one’s own village and backyard. One example is Kodu Toushe, a wild plant bearing small, cucumber-like fruits that has traditionally been used to alleviate knee pain.

Guv emphasises integration of traditional knowledge with scientific research

• October 22, 2026

Source: The Arunachal Times

Governor Shri KT Parnaik on 22 October 2026 emphasised on integration of traditional knowledge with scientific research to strengthen biodiversity conservation, while underscoring that Arunachal Pradesh' indigenous communities possess generations of wisdom about forests, medicinal plants, wildlife, sacred groves and sustainable resource use. 

During a meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity Board (APBB) Chairman Shri Hawa Bagang at the Lok Bhavan in the state capital Itanagar, the governor advised the board to systematically document, preserve and promote the state's invaluable heritage in collaboration with local knowledge holders, ensuring that indigenous wisdom complements modern scientific approaches to safeguarding the state's rich flora and fauna.

The governor called for transforming biodiversity conservation into a people's movement, urging the chairman to inspire citizens, particularly the younger generation, to learn from village elders, revive sustainable traditional practices, and take pride in the state's extraordinary ecological wealth. 

Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IGNCA Sign MoU for Preservation, Documentation and Promotion of Tribal Cultural Heritage

• September 28, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an autonomous trust under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 28, 2026, for the preservation, documentation, digitisation, research and promotion of India’s diverse tribal cultural heritage.

The MoU aims to establish an institutional framework for collaboration between MoTA and IGNCA for the systematic preservation, documentation, digitisation, research and promotion of India’s diverse tribal tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It seeks to leverage the expertise and resources of both institutions to document, protect and disseminate tribal arts, music, languages, oral traditions, folklore, crafts, customary practices and traditional knowledge, while creating wider platforms for their recognition and promotion.

Review of Constitutional Safeguards and Implementation of Development Schemes for Scheduled Tribes in the State of Karnataka

• September 24, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) undertook a comprehensive review of the implementation of constitutional safeguards, welfare measures and development programmes for Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka at a review meeting held at the Conference Hall of Radisson Blu, Bengaluru. The Commission examined a wide range of issues concerning the Scheduled Tribes of the State, including implementation of constitutional safeguards, reservation and backlog vacancies, utilisation of funds under the ST Component, tribal land and forest rights, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, educational and welfare measures, and institutional mechanisms for protection of tribal interests.

The Commission particularly reviewed concerns relating to the rejection of a substantial number of claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and emphasised the need for a comprehensive examination of rejected and pending claims in accordance with the provisions of the Act and Rules.

IUCN Director General’s statement on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026

• August 09, 2026

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Indigenous Peoples steward a significant share of the world’s ecologically intact landscapes and hold unique knowledge of the natural sites, ecosystems and species within their territories. Women in Indigenous communities often hold distinct traditional knowledge; their reproductive, medicinal and cultivation techniques maintain a close dialogue with conservation practices, including in Indigenous midwifery – which is the focus of this year’s International Day theme: “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being”.

Indigenous knowledge must bridge tradition, innovation: Experts

• August 09, 2026

Source: Morung Express

A two-day national seminar on “Sustainability, Innovation and Development of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Northeast India” concluded at Pfutsero Government College on August 6, with academicians, researchers and scholars deliberating on the relevance of indigenous knowledge in contemporary society. Sponsored by the Directorate of Higher Education, Nagaland, and organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Department of History, Pfutsero Government College, the seminar was held from August 5 to 6.

The papers covered nine broad areas, including Indigenous Ethnic Food, Decolonising Indigenous Knowledge, Deconstructing Indigenous Historiography, Oral Narratives, Ethnomedical Practices, Performative Practices, Marriage Systems, Traditional Art and Architecture, Hunting and Fishing, and Agricultural Systems and Natural Resource Management.

Handloom weaving the future of Viksit Bharat

• August 07, 2026

Source: The Pioneer

The making of a developed nation is not defined by technology alone. It is shaped by the ability to transform enduring strengths into engines of future growth. As India advances towards Viksit Bharat 2047, we are investing in frontier technologies, strengthening manufacturing and building globally competitive industries. Yet one of our greatest strengths has been with us all along — our handloom tradition. On August 7, as India marks the 12th National Handloom Day, it is time to view handloom as a strategic sector for a world that values sustainability, authenticity and resilient supply chains.

India and Australia Sign Agreement on Access to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge

• July 10, 2026

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and IP Australia have entered into an Agreement on access to CSIR’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) during the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit held in Melbourne, Australia, on 9 July 2026. The Agreement was concluded in the presence of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Anthony Albanese MP. Under the Agreement, IP Australia will gain access to the TKDL database to identify relevant prior art while examining patent applications in accordance with Australia's patent laws and examination procedures. The Agreement will facilitate more informed and efficient patent examination while helping prevent the grant of patents on knowledge that is already part of India's documented traditional heritage. The implementation of the Agreement will be overseen by Mr. Andrew Wilkinson, Commissioner of Patents, IP Australia; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; and Dr. Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Scientist-H and Head, CSIR-TKDL Unit.

New Indonesia roadmap aims to protect Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity

• July 02, 2026

Source: Mongabay

The Indonesian government is developing a roadmap to protect local wisdom in biodiversity conservation, a move aimed at strengthening the recognition and protection of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) whose traditional practices have long safeguarded some of the country’s richest ecosystems.

The roadmap, the drafting of which began in June 2026, comes as Indonesia seeks to implement its commitments under the multilateral treaty Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).

Ashtalakshmi – The North-East at the Heart of India’s Growth Story

• June 20, 2026

Source: Press Information Bureau

Over the past twelve years, the North-East has witnessed a remarkable shift in its development landscape. This change has been driven by sustained policy support, infrastructure expansion, and inclusive development initiatives. Improved road, rail, air, and digital connectivity have reduced geographic isolation. They have also strengthened regional integration and economic access. At the same time, major gains in access to water, sanitation, housing, healthcare, and education have improved quality of life. These improvements are visible across both urban and rural communities. The region has also emerged as a key pillar of India’s clean energy transition and Act East vision. This shift has been supported by investments in hydropower, gas infrastructure, and cross-border connectivity. Together, these efforts position Ashtalakshmi as a model of sustainable and inclusive development within Viksit Bharat.