CSIR-NIScPR takes Traditional Knowledge Global with CDTK 2024

• November 17, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) and Gurugram University jointly hosted the International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024) at Gurugram University, Gurugram on 13-14 November 2024.The conference's first day featured diverse sessions, including discussions on integrating traditional pedagogies into modern education, ethics in traditional knowledge research, and the science behind traditional agriculture and cuisine. Additional sessions explored sustainable traditional architecture, integrating ancient sciences into modern disciplines, and effective communication of traditional knowledge through the "Paramparik Gyan Sanchar: SVASTIK workshop.

Pacific climate and traditional knowledge stories from ABCID initiative on show at COP29

• November 16, 2024

Source: ABC International Development

Pacific storytellers’ work to document traditional environmental and cultural knowledge at risk of being lost due to climate change is being seen by thousands at the 2024 UN climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Decisions made at the UN Climate meetings (COP) can both positively and negatively affect the lives of countless communities across the Pacific, and the Pacific Pavilion is the key place at COP meetings for Pacific leaders, storytellers and advocates to convey the region’s position on climate matters; most notably, the call for greater investment in adaptation, and binding emission reduction targets.

The COP 29 Pacific Pavilion stories include an insight from Nauruan journalist Tayla Bond into the protective walls that pandanus trees have provided to families in Nauru for centuries, while First Nations Australian reporter, Talicia Minniecon looks at the growing international kava export industry in the Pacific, and the threat posed to it by climate change.

"Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration are essential to Disseminate India's Traditional Knowledge" Prof. K.K. Aggarwal, President, South Asian University

• November 13, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) and Gurugram University jointly inaugurated the International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024) at the auditorium of Gurugram University, Gurugram on 13 November 2024. Prof Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi, provided an overview of SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Traditional Knowledge), highlighting its significance in promoting scientifically validated Indian traditional knowledge. SVASTIK, a national initiative, is coordinated by CSIR-NIScPR. The initiative was launched to communicate scientifically validated traditional knowledge of India to society. Prof Aggarwal added that NIScPR has disseminated socially engaging SVASTIK stories in 17 Indian languages via social media. Moreover, our two SVASTIK publications provide authenticated stories on traditional knowledge, inspiring young students to explore science.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr Shekhar C. Mande, Distinguished Professor, Savitribai Phule Pune Universityand Former Director General CSIR & Secretary DSIR, Government of India. Dr. Mande emphasized the critical role of combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, citing instances where the international community has acknowledged the achievements of Indian scholars.

COP16 connects biodiversity and health with traditional medicine as a bridge

• November 07, 2024

Source: World Health Organization

Traditional Medicine was a key theme during the first-ever Biodiversity and Health Day during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), in Cali, Colombia. Taking forward the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework established at COP 15, global participants this year focused on integrating One Health strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss, manage zoonotic disease risks, and strengthen financial and ecological commitments to human, animal and environmental health and well-being. 

WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) colleagues participated in various sessions, including a high-level breakfast, co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and WHO. The event explored “whole of government” approaches that integrate biodiversity conservation with human well-being. Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, a.i. of GTMC, said: “GTMC’s dedicated unit on Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity emerged from recommendations of the First WHO Tradition Medicine Global Summit in 2023. This reflects WHO's commitment to honoring and incorporating Indigenous Knowledges within global health, One Health and biodiversity frameworks.”

‘Kaveri Meets Ganga’: A spellbinding evening of cultural heritage and artistic brilliance

• November 04, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Culture’s Amrit Parampara series continued its captivating journey on the third day of the ‘Kaveri Meets Ganga’ festival. Held at Kartavya Path and CCRT Dwarka in Delhi, the event offered a powerful celebration of India’s cultural diversity, highlighting traditional and folk arts in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, graced the event with his presence at Kartavya Path. At CCRT, Sh. Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism & Petroleum and Natural Gas, honored the gathering with his esteemed presence. Audiences were treated to mesmerizing performances that brought alive the essence of unity in diversit

North-East food creates get candid on cuisine

• November 03, 2024

Source: Mint

Food influencers from the North-East are reclaiming their rich culinary heritage and busting myths on social media. An exciting crop of content creators from the North-East who are reclaiming their indigenous food heritage through engaging themes and formats on social media. By sharing unfiltered stories of their unique eating habits, they are owning the ancient cuisines largely misunderstood in mainstream food conversations. 

UN COP16 nature summit creates permanent body for Indigenous peoples

• November 02, 2024

Source: The Times of India

Countries at the UN COP16 summit on nature in Colombia on 1 November 2024 approved a measure to create a permanent body for Indigenous peoples to consult on United Nations decisions on nature conservation. The consultative body is considered a breakthrough in recognizing the role that Indigenous peoples play in conserving nature globally, including some of the most biodiverse areas of the planet, according to Indigenous and environmental advocates. Nearly 200 countries convened in the city of Cali aiming to implement the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement, which aims to halt the rapid decline of nature by 2030. 

The consultative body - which will also extend to local communities - will help to incorporate traditional knowledge and practices into conservation efforts.The consultative body - which will also extend to local communities - will help to incorporate traditional knowledge and practices into conservation efforts.

Weaving indigenous science into reported stories

• October 29, 2024

Source: The Open Notebook

Journalism is shifting, too. Climate journalism, in particular, is highlighting more Indigenous knowledge in the context of solutions. Grist, High Country News, and The Texas Observer have established Indigenous-affairs reporters on their rosters. The outcome of this work is stories that stand to deepen science, benefit the Indigenous communities they draw from, and expand a narrow definition of what science is, what it can be, and how it’s done. It’s also just good journalism to bring to light all the groups that contribute to science, whether they’re entrenched in the Western scientific tradition or not.

To report on Indigenous science accurately and fairly, however, journalists have to take a thoughtful approach. That includes learning when to weave Indigenous science into their stories, how to find Indigenous voices with relevant expertise, how to verify information gathered in different ways, and how to frame stories that mix both Indigenous and Western science.

J&K and Gujarat traditional knowledge holders recognized with herbal patents for sustainable health innovations

• October 28, 2024

Source: Krishi Jagran

In 2024 the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) awarded 26 patents to traditional knowledge holders, recognizing their herbal innovations and enabling broader industry collaboration for sustainable healthcare solutions. Custodians from Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat were awarded patents for their unique herbal practices in a significant step to honor India’s rich heritage of traditional herbal knowledge. These recognition ceremonies were held on October 22, 2024, at the University of Kashmir and the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The awarded patents underscore India’s commitment to preserving and advancing its deep-rooted knowledge systems, offering a bridge between traditional wisdom and modern healthcare solutions.

Science Ministry grants herbal patents to 26 indigenous knowledge holders

• October 28, 2024

Source: The Assam Tribune

The Ministry of Science and Technology has facilitated 26 indigenous knowledge holders from Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat with herbal patents, it said on 28 October 2024. “This will facilitate the scaling up of technologies for commercial and social ventures,” the ministry said.
The custodians of herbal traditional knowledge were granted herbal patents at felicitation programmes held earlier at the University of Kashmir and subsequently at the National Innovation Foundation, Gandhinagar on October 22. “Knowledge holders interact within their ecological system and possess a deep understanding of local flora accumulated through experiences, experiments, and wisdom. These practices are tools for solving challenges in human health and agriculture including livestock at their locale,” the ministry said.