organised. In Apatani, each clan of the village has their own sacred groves. They are of two types , Ranthii and Lyago. Ranthii is a designated forest near the village where the rituals are performed. Lyagos are found in and around the village granaries, and is believed to be the dwelling place of the spirit called Subum Nyaro (Chaudhry and Murtem, 2015). Apatanis believe Subum Nyore to be the spirit of well-being. Rituals to appease Subum Nyore are performed in Lyago. No biotic interference is allowed and complete prohibition is practiced for collection of dead or living trees or plants. It is believed that if a person violates then a bad omen occurs to his family. Collection can be done only by the priest during a festival called Myoko. The Khamtis inhabit the region around the Tengapani basin in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh. They are descendants of migrants who came from the Bor-Khampti region, the mountainous valley of the Irrawaddy. Khamtis are followers of Theravada Buddhism. Sacred Groves are maintained in and around the Monastery in the areas of Khamptis. 3. Forest Management Arunachal Pradesh has more than 82% forest cover. The tribal population of the state is mostly dependent on the wild bio-resources for food, herbal medicine and their routine household tools. For them the wild animal had been a main food source since ancient times. Forest products like bamboo, timber, cane are the only component of house construction. Many of the plant parts like leaf, bark and roots are used as herbal medicine. In spite of depending fully on the forest, they have various traditional ways of harnessing and protecting forest that helps in maintaining the biodiversity and ecosystem functionality of the region. 3.1 Traditional Origanisation Most of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh have their own traditional methods for managing biodiversity. They reserve forests, streams and rivers on the basis of community and clan-wise use with certain rules and regulations restricting outsiders to collect any material from their areas. They also manage conservation through traditional reservation of biodiversity, traditional land holding, traditional practice of harnessing bio-resources and political organisation system (Borang, 2001). Legally, the traditional village council as the village authority under the Assam Frontier (Administrative of Justice) Regulation, 1945, has the power to watch and ward over the village and bio-resources. Even the Government has to obtain consent from the village council for implementing their activities like reservation of forests, establishment of sanctuaries and so on. 3.2 Tribal culture and Ethos The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh conserve their biodiversity through certain cultural ethos that have being practiced through the ages. Totem: There is wide range of animistic conceptions associated with vegetation, animals, groves and ritual ceremonies. They believe in a supernatural power. Unnatural groves, big trees, large mountains are regarded as dwelling place of ancestral souls and supernatural power, and spirits. Such vegetation or structures are not disturbed and thus the natural habitat of animals is kept intact. Certain animals like Tigers, Elephants and Toads are believed to be ancestral brothers and well wishers of human being and killing such animals is avoided. Taboo: In festivals and rites the tribal communities observe taboo. The duration varies from days to years during which they abstain from cutting, killing or hunting of certain plants and animals. This helps conservation of specific species. 126 Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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