A Study on the Role of Tribals in Preserving the Biodiversity of India

The management of natural resources in a sustainable development has become an important part for life survival on earth. Due to the ecological degradation and the loss in biodiversity there is a serious impact on our Nature. The environment is being supported by human survival in turn which conserves nature. Tribal groups who live in harmony with various elements of nature by the use of a range of traditional practices which involve culture, rituals, religious belief, customs, tradition and their heritage preserve biodiversity. Biodiversity is composed of various life forms such as plants that serve as an edible food in the form of roots, seeds, fruits, agricultural and horticulture plants. Some of the indigenous people preserve the resources by incorporating the traditional practices to increase the restoration of the environment. This paper will discuss the significant role played by the tribals in preserving biodiversity in India. This paper will show the importance of the tribals in preserving the plants as a matter of religious belief that they are the habitat of god and goddesses. It will describe the various traditional practices by tribes located in several parts of India and highlight on the cultural beliefs and practices of the indigenous people as part of heritage wherein it preserves biodiversity in a manner of environmental management and sustainable development.