Background
Overview
UPSC often examines the importance of traditional knowledge, its role in sustainable development, its connection to indigenous communities, and the need for its protection and documentation. It also links to issues of biopiracy and intellectual property rights, and the cultural heritage of tribal groups.
Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the relationships between people and plants, focusing on how plants are used, managed, and perceived across different cultures. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) refers to the cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationship of living beings with their environment, passed down through generations, particularly by indigenous communities. This knowledge is vital for sustainable resource management and potential bioprospecting.