Mughal system stilll supplies water at zero cost

Mughal builders are known the world over for the Taj Mahal. But their water engineers built a supply system in 1615 that still provides water to …

Building up a dangerous trend

Last October's earthquake destroyed 20 per cent of Uttarkashi's houses. When the rubble had settled, it was found that the older, traditional …

"India has lost much to the West"

Lynn Crisanta R Panganiban is a physician in the department of pharmacology at the University of Philippines, Manila. A toxicologist and an …

In custody

The zabo is the chosen water harvesting system of the Chakhesang tribals of Nagaland's Kikruma village. Placed by fate in the rain-shadow of a …

The red tape vs Kanis

The forest department reserves the right to conserve arogyapacha, and prevents Kanis from selling it outside

The miracle-makers

Scientists are only now finding out the Kanis' knowledge of herbal remedies. The most outstanding find so far is arogyapacha

Popular science

Traditional science and technologies are crucial to the everyday life of a large part of India. But will the traditions hold on?

Tribals become anthropologists

An academy that aims at converting tribals to anthropology; where the Bhils crossover from being mere objects of study to an active role in …

The Baigas and their weavers

The buzzword these days in Baigachak is the Baiga Mahapanchayat. It is an effort of Nai Disha, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Sijhora …

Dying wisdom

Rise and fall of traditional water harvesting systems in India They are called kuhals in Jammu, kuls in Himachal Pradesh and guls in Uttarakhand.…

Goa’s signature spice

Pungent teppal balances dishes’ strong sweet-sour flavour

The wisdom of the unlettered

Thinking ahead

Making a case

The Patent Bill gives oral traditions document status

Fighting biopiracy

Trouble in Mexico

Mayans may lose traditional knowledge to a Us-funded project

Germany goes green

Environment friendly farm policies will be the new paradigm

Tradition incorporated

Patents are welcome only if the traditional rights of people are protected

Hydraulic marvel

An eighteenth-century canal system in Pune remains fresh despite long disuse

How To Sell A Wonder Herb

There is arogyapacha. A rare herb with extraordinary medicinal properties. There is the Kani tribe of Kerala. It has preserved the herb and the …

Making sense of `Make in India'

Manufacturing needs to get a boost. But what to manufacture and how are two critical questions

Traditional irrigation fails themoney test

USER-FRIENDLY IRRIGATION DESIGNS Nirmal Sengupta Publisher: Sage Publications, New Delhi Price: Rs 185

Tears and the drama aside, the message survives

Prabhat Roy's award-winning Shwet Paatharer Thala is a tear-jerker, which nevertheless effectively preaches the lesson of family welfare.

The wood femine

Decline in supplies has badly affected many traditional crafts. Woodcarving in Saharanpur is one of them. Despite a revitalised export market, …

Science of the Common people

A recent congress highlighted the relevance of people-oriented science and technology such as the management of water, forests and agriculture.