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Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wildlife Conservation

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept highlights the critical role of integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation efforts, promoting sustainable development, and recognizing the rights and contributions of indigenous communities in environmental protection.

Indigenous knowledge systems, often referred to as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), encompass the cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs evolving through adaptive processes and handed down through generations by indigenous peoples. This knowledge is crucial for sustainable resource management and biodiversity conservation, reflecting a deep understanding of local ecosystems and species.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Generational Knowledge

Tribal communities (Kaatunaickers, Kurumbas, Malasars) possess generations of knowledge about elephants, forests, and wildlife.

Guardians of Ecosystems

Indigenous Peoples are recognized as 'guardians of some of the Earth’s most precious ecosystems and its remaining biodiversity'.

Traditional Practices

Their traditional methods include training elephants without conventional tools like 'ankush' (a stick with a pointed hook).

Active Role in Management

The Malasar community actively participates in wildlife management and has received national honours such as the Gaj Gaurav Award for elephant conservation.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Ethics
Conceptual areaSustainable Development
Conceptual areaTribal Rights
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Purpose or function of a policy tool

Quick revision

  • TEK: Generations of knowledge, practices, beliefs.
  • Crucial for biodiversity conservation & sustainable management.
  • Example: Tribal mahouts' elephant care (no 'ankush').
  • Malasars: Active in wildlife management, Gaj Gaurav Award.
  • Integrates culture, environment, and sustainable living.

High-confidence PYQs

2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Terminology-based question, Conceptual understanding

The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the:

Environment & EcologyOpen question

"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Terminology-based question, Conceptual understanding

The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the:

Environment & EcologyOpen question

"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can b...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Purpose or function of a policy tool

The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of thi...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, busin...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Whic...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Whic...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environmental EthicsSustainable DevelopmentTribal Rights
Prelims 2014· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Whic...

Open question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Whic...

Open question

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

Open question
Prelims 2015· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, busin...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Purpose or function of a policy tool

The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of thi...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can b...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Terminology-based question, Conceptual understanding

The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the:

Open question

"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Terminology-based question, Conceptual understanding

The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the:

Open question

"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations?

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Open question

Guardians of the gentle giants: Mahouts from indigenous communities and their bond with elephants

15 Aug 2026 · Indigenous communities' traditional ecological knowledge is vital for wildlife conservation, offering sustainable practices and deep understanding of ecosystems, as exemplified by tribal mahouts in elephant care and their role as ecosystem guardians.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wildlife Conservation

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wildlife Conservation in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Wildlife Conservation

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of thi...

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Whic...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, busin...

2015·Environment & Ecology
Solve

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the:

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations?

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can b...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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