Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Nurseries of ancestor worship: A green festival acquires commercial colour

Nurseries of ancestor worship: A green festival acquires commercial colour
Merlin Franco

Ancestral worship is an essential part of any traditional society. here is an interesting account of one such...Published in Down to Earth, May  31, 2010. 

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Relationship between Four Tribal Communities and their Natural Resources in the Koraput Region


Relationship between Four Tribal Communities and their Natural Resources in the Koraput Region
F. Merlin Franco, D. Narasimhan and William Stanley
Abstract
In this paper, we look into the relationship that exist between four tribal communities viz. the Kondh, Poraja, Gadaba and Bonda of the Koraput region with their natural resources. Eucalyptus globulus Labill., when introduced into the tribal ecosystem is rejected by the community and so is Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn ex Benth., while another tree Pterospermum acerifolium Willd. when introduced is readily accepted by the community. A new water reservoir makes fish readily available to the community and the community incorporates the new resource into their culture. The Bonda spare a few tree species from the axe while clearing the forests for shifting cultivation. The possible philosophy behind these actions is discussed.
Published in Ethnobotany Research & Applications 6:481-485 (2008). Available at http://lib-ojs3.lib.sfu.ca:8114/index.php/era/article/view/199

Plant names and uses as indicators of knowledge patterns

Plant names and uses as indicators of knowledge patterns

Merlin Franco F & D Narasimhan

Cross-cultural comparison of ethnobotanical knowledge of various communities can bring out the different patterns of knowledge held by them. The paper looks into the knowledge patterns among the Kondh, Poraja, Hill Bonda and Gadaba of the Koraput region by comparing their knowledge on 20 different plants.

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge , Vol. 8 (4), October 2009, pp. 645-648. Available at http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/6289/1/IJTK%208(4)%20645-648.pdf

Cultural and Ecological Importance of Sacred Groves of Kondhs

Cultural and Ecological Importance of Sacred Groves of Kondhs
by F. Merlin Franco and D. Narasimhan Centre for Floristic Research, Department of Botany, Madras Christian College

sacred groves are remnants of natural vegetation, protected and conserved by the spiritual beliefs of local people. Since these sacred groves are free from disturbances, they reflect the original vegetation of that area. A number of human societies in Asia, Africa, Europe, America and Australia have preserved sections of their natural environment as sacred groves. Besides catering to the spiritual and cultural needs of the host community, they also play an important role in conserving biodiversity by facilitating the conservation of medicinal as well as endangered flora and fauna and hence of great ecological value. For instance, it is reported that sacred groves in Kerala preserve more than 800 species of Angiosperms, out of which 150 plants are medicinal and 40% rare and endangered. Usually, it turns out that the plants found in the sacred grove find great use in the community. The sacred groves act as a repository of germ plasm, which are dispersed effectively by birds and other animals that are dependant on them. Certain sacred groves are known to serve as catchment areas or abode of springs. There are several cases where the local agriculture depends on the springs that arise from sacred groves. Besides sacred groves, sacred pools and streams also help in biodiversity conservation.

Read more at http://ecoheritage.webindia.com/viewdetails.php?$mFC