Tshering Yangden is a Senior Researcher with the Tarayana Center for Research Development. She has a master’s Degree in Economics from Oita University in Japan, a second masterβs in Sociology from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and completed her PhD in Sociology from the University of Wollongong in Australia. She has conducted several research on social issues in Bhutan, particularly in the areas of gender, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Besides being a freelance consultant, she also worked as the National Project Coordinator for BAFRA, the then Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, and worked on drafting the Biosafety Rules and Regulations of Bhutan.
Role of local traditions and cultural norms on community wellbeing and environmental sustainability
Tshering Yangden 1 , Tulsi Gurung 2
Traditional practices and indigenous knowledge are integral to environmental conservation and sustainability. These practices stem from a community’s extensive understanding of their local environment, cultivated over generations, which promotes sustainable interactions with nature across centuries. This traditional knowledge manifests in various daily activities, including sustainable agricultural techniques, management of natural resources, medicinal herbs, and spiritual beliefs that honor the sanctity of the natural world. This research aims to document the intricate web of local traditions and cultural practices, their influence on community well-being, and their role in nature preservation in the gewogs of Laya in Gasa, Dzomi and Kabjisa, in Punakha, and Gangtey and Phobji gewogs in Wangdue Phodrang. A qualitative research approach explored traditional knowledge, spiritual beliefs, and community-based healing practices about nature. The findings revealed that various practitioners, such as shamans, utilize plants for ritualistic purposes, while joint fixers employ herbs for treating dislocations and fractures, and hot springs are revered places of various healing, highlighting the community’s commitment to protecting these species and sites. Additionally, traditional agricultural methods contribute to environmental protection through soil conservation and use of local plants as pest repellent, and crop biodiversity via seed preservation and crop rotation. Astrologers also play a role by advising individuals on the significance of honoring sacred sites. The reliance on astrologers for selecting auspicious dates for significant dates is decreasing with the availability of information from online sources. Nevertheless, their role in performing rituals aimed at achieving positive results remains significant. Consequently, the spiritual belief in the detrimental effects of polluting sacred areas fosters a culture of respect for nature, thereby upholding its sanctity and sustainability. Therefore, documentation of the existing and disappearing traditional knowledge and cultural norms is recommended to ensure their transmission to future generations.