Indigenous biodiversity of Apatani plateau: Learning on biocultural knowledge of Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh for sustainable livelihoods

The paper throws light on various uses of 106 species of plants by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The data have been collected using personal interview schedule through established contact with key communicators of Apatani villages. There are a range of indigenous plant species (106) used in food, ethnomedicine, handicrafts, hunting and cultural uses. In majority of the cases, knowledge on plant resources use is observed to be community knowledge (public domain). Resource base of bio-culturally rich plant biodiversity is the backbone for livelihoods of Apatani tribe. The knowledge on plant resources use was observed to be location specific. Activities relating plant collection and their processing for various uses are primarily performed by women folk. Integration of outstanding traditional knowledge of this tribe with farming systems may further sustain their livelihoods. Characterization of plant based knowledge and refinement and value addition to bio-products may further advance livelihoods regime of Apatani tribes. This approach would also ensure their IPR protection on plant based knowledge and products, and equitable benefit sharing over plant based knowledge systems.