Folklore, Religion and Traditions of Bhotiya Community: A Heritage-Based Model for Biodiversity Conservation in the Nanda Devi Biosphere, Uttarakhand, India

The Bhotiya tribe's deep-rooted connection between ecological stewardship and cultural heritage in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) offers a sustainable model for biodiversity conservation. Their indigenous knowledge, shaped by generations of living in a fragile mountain ecosystem, aligns with modern conservation principles. This study highlights their ethnobiological traditions, particularly their expertise in medicinal plants, biodiversity, and the cultural significance of local flora and fauna. NDBR hosts diverse habitats from temperate forests to alpine meadows. The Bhotiya's livelihood, based on agriculture, pastoralism, and foraging, is intricately tied to seasonal rhythms and biodiversity. Through ethnographic methods, the study documents traditional knowledge related to medicinal and aromatic plants, wild edibles, animal resources, and conservation-oriented customs such as taboos and rituals. It underscores the community's role in biodiversity conservation and cultural resilience, advocating for the integration of traditional ecological knowledge into contemporary conservation frameworks.

Kandari, L. S., Bisht, V. K., Negi, T., Rawat, A. P., & Sharma, R. b. (2025). Folklore, Religion and Traditions of Bhotiya Community: A Heritage-Based Model for Biodiversity Conservation in the Nanda Devi Biosphere, Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Mountain Research. https://doi.org/10.51220/jmr.v20-i2.10