The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, Vol 17 (2004)

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Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and GIS for Participatory Natural Resource Management: State of the Practice

Nitesh Tripathi, Shefali Bhattarya

Abstract


Experience has shown that development efforts that ignore indigenous knowledge (IK), local systems of knowledge, and the local environment generally fail to achieve their desired objectives. IK systems are becoming extinct because of rapidly changing natural and social environments. A Geographic Information System provides a framework to document and store indigenous knowledge meaningfully. Participation by the local community in development initiatives is critical for achieving sound natural resource management to utilize the full potential of IK systems. The main premise of this paper is to review the literature available on the approach of integrating indigenous knowledge with Geographic Information Systems as a way of promoting participatory natural resource management and giving opportunity to the local community to participate in development programs and decision-making both as contributors and as users of knowledge.

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The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. ISSN: 1681-4835 www.ejisdc.org