Managing Environments Sustainably through Understanding and Assimilating Local Ecological Knowledge: The Case of Honey Bee

Conceptually the developmental models can be arrayed on two dimensions: The time frame and decision making options or horizon. I have defined development as a process of well as the institutions (Gupta 1981, Gupta et al, 1995). The time frame refers to the period in which we appraise a technological or investment choice. The decision making horizon refers to the range of options that a decision maker is aware of and can access or avail of, in the given resource situation. The implication is that the sustainability requires both the longer time frame as well as wide range of choices. The next question is: How do we widen the range of choices and extend the time frame? If a household does not have certainty of tenure or clarity of property right vis-a-vis a given resource, it is unlikely that the person may have a long time frame. Alternatively, in the absence of clear property rights, customary rights and informal institutions may exist and these could help extend the time frame. The cultural context, spiritual values and ethical basis of local knowledge systems also contributes to extending the time frame. That is why we notice some of the poorest households growing some of the slowest growing tree species in the homestead land. The widening of choices depends upon the (a) Access households have to resources; (b) Assurances they have about others’ behaviour vis-à-vis their own as well as about future returns from present investments; (c) Ability or Skills people have to use available choices and (d) Attitudes towards nature, resource use and towards the concern for future generations. To what extent the choices will be widened without impairing the ecological balance depends upon several factors which are summarized in part one. Several approaches to scouting innovations among children and adults are described. Seven principles of Sustainability are discussed in part two. It is concluded that while choice can be widened by the modern science when blended with informal science, the time frame can be extended by granting the right of future generations and the non-human sentient beings.