UNESCO-NFSJ Science dialogue series on “Ethnobotany and Indigenous knowledge” commences

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 27

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in collaboration with the Nepal Forum of Science Journalists (NFSJ), organized its first science dialogue session on the theme of “Ethno-Botany and Indigenous knowledge” on Friday.

Tribhuvan University Professor Emeritus Ram Prasad Chaudhary spoke during the session where he emphasized the intimate relationship between ethnobotany and indigenous knowledge systems.

He shared his thoughts on the contribution of women to knowledge generation and preservation and highlighted the significance of protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) through evolving legal frameworks.

He also discussed how organizations, forums, and media play a crucial role in showcasing the origin and usefulness of indigenous knowledge systems and in disseminating the findings of ethno-botanical research.

Similarly, Esha Rai, lecturer at Damak Multiple Campus, talked about how Santhal ethnic group, with their unique culture and knowledge, have an intrinsic relation with nature.

She advocated for the promotion of ethno-medicinal value plants as alternative sources of livelihoods and highlighted the need of increasing the capacity of women and youth to employ ethno-medical value of plants in a sustainable manner through trainings and exposures.

Meanwhile, Michael Croft, the Representative of the UNESCO Office in Nepal, remarked the importance of science dialogue series in an era of rapid social transformation, digitalization, pandemic, and climate change, and the importance of cultivating much closer links between scientists and the media for timely and appropriate knowledge dissemination.

The President of NFSJ, Rajan Pokhrel also asserted the importance of such dialogue series for meaningful knowledge dissemination in the media.

This science dialogue series has been scheduled to be held monthly this year on significant science-related issues.