Yontan and Tage Rupa Sora
Abstract
Monpas have distinct traditional knowledge of manuring the agricultural land using varieties of locally available resources. Despite of having its own script, the traditional knowledge among Monpas has been passed on from generations through oral tradition. With the passing time and change in marketing system of agricultural crops, the traditional manuring techniques are given less importance resulting in unsustainable use of land resources and loss of indigenous knowledge. Therefore, the present study aims to document the indigenous knowledge system and the recent changes in manuring techniques among Monpa tribe of Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. The present study has been carried out in Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh having geographical area of 2,172 Sq. km. Multi-stage random sampling technique has been used. The study area has been divided into 5 (five) altitudinal zone and 30% of villages from each altitudinal zones have been selected randomly totalling to 45 villages. Open ended interview have been conducted with the farmers, village elders and resourceful persons to collect the information. This has been verified using observation and participatory approach. It has been observed that Monpas have been following sustainable agriculture practices by means of their traditional manuring knowledge. They have been highly using the dry leaves to prepare varieties of manures. However, the modernization has also penetrated among the Monpas, and vast changes in application of manures and tools have also been observed in the study area in past few decades. Therefore, blended application of traditional and modern techniques is hereby suggested for the sustainability of the land resources, and to increase the productivity of the crops.