DIGITALIZATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN NEPAL – REVIEW ARTICLE

Abstract

This article strives to explore the need of digitalization of indigenous knowledge for socio economic development and its effective management. The best use of natural resources is aided by the indigenous practices providing invaluable knowledge. In these modern days of technological advancement, it is seen that this knowledge is often being ignored. Naturally rich countries like Nepal, which holds innumerable counts of Indigenous practices, no any considerable efforts have been seen to understand the scientific basis of this knowledge. Studies have shown that most of the world’s natural resources, along with digitally born resources have been vanished and due to neglectism, some cannot even be recovered. So, in order to provide long term preservation and global access to Indigenous Knowledge, digitalization can be viewed as a remarkable tool. The introduction of new technology and communication channels are changing the way how we gain knowledge. Many of us are considered to be living in a digital age, this era however is having an effect on cultural/traditional/indigenous knowledge and create new challenges for indigenous communities. Documentation and digitalization of Indigenous knowledge should be included in the curricula of environment and sustainable development as a cross-cutting issue.