Lac-based indigenous technical knowledge of Assam

Abstract

The survey on lac-based Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) amongst the farming communities of Assam revealed its prevalence mainly amongst the tribal people of West Karbi Anglong, East Karbi Anglong, Golaghat, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Goalpara, and Dhemaji districts of Assam. Altogether six numbers of lac-based ITKs were reported about lac culture, human medicine, dye making and post-harvest operations. Lac-based ITKs have not been documented scientifically so far. This paper describes some of the ITKs practiced by tribals/farmers of Assam for the first time, which might help other researchers/scientists in further studies for scientific validation of lac-based ITKs.