4. Pest Management The farmers of tribal communities have preserved their ecologically based pest and disease control knowledge over the generations. Galo tribes occupying the southern part of Abor Hills are one that is known for this skill. In one of their practices they use the leaves of Pomelo (Citrus grandis) as an insecticidal repellent for the control of the rice pest Rice ear bug (Leptocorisa oratorius). Household ash is also used as a repellent to control pests and diseases of the cultivated crops. In a unique practice they wrap fermented rice in leaf, fixed on a stick and place in the Rice field. Insect lured with the smell of the fermented rice attacks this, thus leaving paddy grain alone. The method reduces the attack of pests on Paddy crops. A number of traditional traps are also used for control of rats in the rice fields. After harvest of rice crop, grains are stored in well protected indigenous Granary, which inhibits any pest and diseases of stored grains. Many insects are consumed as food by the tribe which not only serves as a measure of pest control but also a rich source of micronutrients and other therapeutic agents (Bora et. al., 2013). CONCLUSION There are many lessons that could be learned from some traditional societies, in terms of effective agro-ecosystems and landscape management itself. Learning from adaptive social evolution of land use practices of these societies could be an important lesson one could learn to cope with global change related uncertainties. A highly diversified landscape unit is likely to have a wide range of ecological niches conducive to enhancing biodiversity, and at the same time ensuring sustainability of the managed landscape itself. Traditional wetland cultivators of rice such as the Apatanis provide, are examples of a high degree of ecological and economic efficiency from this system. In addition, they have an indigenous set up of utilizing the limited space for rice fish farming. Arunachal’s geographical patterns are diverse; therefore, one kind of farming system is not feasible for all the areas. However, the system with high viability and potential can be replicated in the areas with similar pattern of topography and climate anywhere in the world. Some of the possibilities exist for redeveloping this system so that the farmer is able to obtain better returns are: (a) transfer of technology from one tribe to another, (b) introduction of early maturing and improved varieties of rice to obtain two or even three harvests in a year, (c) Rainwater harvesting and storage in tanks to support the major water constraint outside the monsoon period. The trial of Rice fish farming was introduced in a few other places of Arunachal Pradesh under government sponsored programme. Though it was not the replica of the Apatani system, it worked near to expectation which indicates the prospect of implementing the established Apatani system in other parts of the state. The more recently evolved ‘biosphere reserve’ concept of UNESCO, indeed, a rediscovery of the concept of the ‘sacred landscape’ of traditional societies dating back to antiquity, is an attempt towards such an integrated management strategy to conserve natural resources for sustainable use. The efficient resource management practices, rich traditional knowledge and conservationist nature of Apatanis, attracted the attention of UNESCO for the Ziro valley being enlisted in the tentative list of World Heritage Site. The diverse livelihood management practices, and traditional faith and belief of the indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh facilitate the region in retaining its biodiversity for decades to come. Their dependence on the bio-resources made themselves feel the essence of sustainable use long before it became internationally fashionable. The concept, that Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the 127 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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