Indigenous Knowledge and Development
Monitor, July 1998 Indigenous Knowledge and Development
Monitor, July 1998
Contents IK Monitor 6(2) | IKDM Homepage | Suggestions to: ikdm@nuffic.nl | (c) copyright Nuffic-CIRAN and contributors 1998.
IMPORTANT NEW BOOKS
The appearance of important new publications is signalled here, and the books are briefly described. We have requested review copies, which will be sent to experts for their opinions regarding the books’ practical usefulness. The reviewer’s comments will be published in a subsequent issue of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor.
Grenier, Louise (1998) Working with indigenous knowledge. A guide for researchers. ix + 115 pp. ISBN 0-88936-847-3. Publisher’s suggested selling price: US$ 25 but customers should check with local distributors for terms and conditions. Published by International Development Research Centre (IDRC), P.O. Box 8500, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 3H9.
Through an extensive review of field examples as well as current theory and practice, this book provides a succinct yet comprehensive review of indigenous knowledge research and assessment. It points out what indigenous knowledge can contribute to a sustainable development strategy based on the potential of the local environment and the experience and wisdom of the indigenous population. The book also offers guidelines for the improved design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of any programme of research. Its publishers say that it will appeal to the seasoned development professional as well as to the novice or student just beginning a research career.
Agarwal, Anil and Sunita Narain (eds) (1997) Dying wisdom. The rise, fall and potential of India’s traditional water harvesting systems. Fourth Citizens’ Report. 404 pp. US$ 18 (hardbound);
US$ 12 (paperback). Enquiries: Centre for Science and Environment (CSE),
41, Thuglakabad Institutional Area,
New Delhi - 110 062, India.
Fax: +91-11-698 5879.
E-mail: cse@sdalt.ernet.in
The book has four chapters. The first traces the history of water harvesting in India back to antiquity. Chapter 2 describes in 15 sections the systems of a specific ecological region. The central chapter, chapter 3, explains that traditional Indian villages were relatively autonomous, with their own customs and institutions for allocating water and maintaining water systems. Water harvesting generated its own surplus. The British administration destroyed this financial base, however, and with it the local capacity for managing natural resources. Chapter 4 describes attempts to revive local sytems, and reviews the problems that have occurred. The book ends with recommended strategies for the revival of local water harvesting systems.
Sharma, Prem N. (ed.) (1998) A compilation of indigenous technology knowledge for upland watershed management in Bangladesh. PWMTA-FARM Field Document No. 11. vi + 50 pp. Published by Participatory Watershed Management Training in Asia (PWMTA) Program, GCP/RAS/161/NET - RAS/93/062, FAO (UN), UN Building, P.O. Box 25, Kathmandu, Nepal. For copies, write to:
Dr Prem N. Sharma, FAO (UN), P.O. Box 25, Kathmandu, Nepal; or Mr Sunil Kanta Bose, Forest Department, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
No fewer than 52 indigenous technologies and practices for watershed management in Bangladesh are described in this published report. Most have been used for centuries by the tribal populations residing in upland areas. Among other things, tools are described which differ in size, shape, and function from the tools used in the plains. An important finding is that technologies are being transferred back and forth between tribal and non-tribal peoples at a number of locations in the hill tracts.
The two publications on water management will be reviewed by one reviewer, Dr Loes Schenk-Sandbergen, associate professor at the anthropology and sociology centre of the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands). As a consultant, she has been actively involved in water-related development projects in India, Laos and Bangladesh. She is also a specialist in gender issues.
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