Ethnozoological knowledge of Indian scheduled tribe, scheduled caste and rural communities

735-741Scheduled caste and scheduled tribe comprises about 16.6 % and 8.6 %, respectively of India’s population according to the 2011 census. The constitution lists 1108 Scheduled castes across 25 states and about 744 tribes across 22 states in the country. The tribals live in an around forests and other difficult terrains. They acquired unique knowledge about the use of many wild flora and fauna. Most of these are either lesser known or hither to unknown to the outside world. The treasure of traditional knowledge (TK) if subjected to scientific scrutiny could benefit human kind in many ways. The inroads of modernization are presently posing a threat to this TK and these are in imminent danger of losing out, this age old wisdom and expertise can be lost for all times to come. The rich diversity of traditional communities and biological resources of the country are endowed with primary advantage of evolving innumerous ethnobiological knowledge. The Tribal Co–operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) was set up with an aim to serve the interest of the tribal communities and to work for their socio-economic development by conducting its affairs in a professional, democratic and autonomous manner for undertaking marketing of tribal products. The Ethnozoological knowledge of the communities covers the edible, medicinal and therapeutic properties of animal products. However, in recent past the time-tested traditional knowledge is eroding fast, which need urgent attention. To achieve the aim of accelerating the economic development of tribal people by providing wider exposure to their art and crafts, TRIBES INDIA, the exclusive shops of tribal artifacts were set up all over India by TRIFED. They showcase and market the art and craft items produced by the tribal people and thus espouse their magical and mystical art and culture