KOHIMA, April 8: In a significant development, the Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of an Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Research Centre at Nagaland University.
The new research centre will focus on the documentation and study of indigenous knowledge systems specific to Nagaland, with a special emphasis on water management in agriculture and ethnic culinary practices among the tribal communities. Known for its rich cultural diversity, Nagaland is home to numerous indigenous tribes with unique traditions in sustainable living, particularly in water resource management and traditional cooking methods—both integral to agricultural livelihoods and the preservation of cultural identity.
The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) is an innovative initiative under the Ministry of Education aimed at promoting and preserving India’s rich traditional heritage across diverse domains such as literature, agriculture, science, engineering, architecture, management, and economics.
Welcoming the initiative, Professor Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting traditional practices. “Nagaland is home to diverse indigenous tribes, each with unique cultures and practices, including traditional water management systems and ethnic culinary. This traditional knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture and ethnic culinary among the tribal community of Nagaland will be a resource for documentation and dissemination for further adoption for sustainability,” he said.
He added that the research would allow the university to make informed suggestions to local communities for improving traditional systems. “Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the existing system is vital for understanding its sustainability, profitability, societal impact and replicability, under the present scenario of climate change,” Patnaik said.
Nagaland’s traditional water management practices are deeply rooted in its communities. These include techniques like rainwater harvesting through ponds or wooden tanks, terracing to prevent soil erosion in agriculture, managing spring water resources, and using bamboo to create pipelines for long-distance water transportation. These time-tested practices are crucial not only for agriculture but also for conserving the natural ecosystem.
Equally significant is the region’s ethnic culinary heritage, known for its bold flavors, use of locally sourced ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques that have been passed down for generations.
Dr. Chitrasen Lairenjam, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at Nagaland University’s Medziphema Campus, outlined the research goals of the IKS Centre. “The project idea is to study the fundamentals involved on the practice done by the farmer in managing and sustaining the system. This project also aims to document and disseminate knowledge about these practices for future sustainability. Through research, education, and mentoring, the project will assess the relevance of these traditional systems in today’s climate and agricultural context, identify potential gaps, and suggest improvements,” he said.
He further noted, “The study will contribute to understanding the role of indigenous knowledge in sustaining agriculture in Nagaland amidst changing environmental conditions. The focus area of this IKS Research Centre is the indigenous knowledge of water-managed systems in agriculture, and traditional ethnic culinary among the tribal community of Nagaland for documentation, research, mentoring and dissemination of this knowledge.”
The establishment of the IKS Research Centre is a step forward in recognizing and institutionalizing the traditional wisdom of indigenous communities, paving the way for sustainable development grounded in local knowledge.
