International Journal on Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences & Business Studies. Shodh-Sandhan. 2016, Vol. 01, Issue. 02, April-May

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1 International Journal on Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences & Business Studies Shodh-Sandhan 2016, Vol. 01, Issue. 02, April-May ISSN No Author names. Authors retain all rights. Shodh-Sandhan has been granted the right to publish and share Folktales: An Effort to Conserve Himalaya Dr. Sushma Mishra 1 Associate Professor, JNPG College, Lucknow; dr.sushma60@gmail.com Abstract Sustainment of biodiversity in the Himalayan region is a global issue which is getting attention from all over the world. Today world is eyeing on the deteriorating conditions of environment & biodiversity in Himalayas. Various efforts are being made to take up this issue through debates in seminars, conferences, workshops, in publications, books, journals, in interviews etc. This challenge has taken interdisciplinary place in the field of education. Interdisciplinary collaborations are needed including women, children & community. Everybody must be involved on how best we can sustain our environment & biodiversity. Since children are also used by their parents, especially mothers in most of the rural communities as agents of hazards to biodiversity through destruction of trees in search of fire wood, disposition of waste refuse into gutters, wastage of water sources, use of plastics and so on. These children are future worthy citizens of the country. Hence proper sensitization of children by all means also can save the nation from further biodiversity hazards. Story telling in childhood i.e. folktales and folk songs leaves a lasting impressions on children s tender minds. Hence mothers, grandparents and elderly persons in homes & teachers in schools can sensitize the children through folktales narration sessions,which entails narration of relevant folktales during relaxation periods in homes and schools with the children. Through these tales children can be made aware of the cause & effects of biodiversity hazards, environmental destructions etc. These children can spread these measures through cultural activities in schools, can become agents of change for the society through other children of various families and so on. Consequently, local community, state, Himalayan region, country and finally world can become a better place to live for human being, animals and plant habitation. A fullbright grantee, Stephen Alter spent January to October 2005 in different parts of Himalayas affiliated with Himachal Pradesh University of Shimla, India and Tribhuvan University of Kathmandu, Nepal to study the unique aspects of folktale tradition in this region. Introduction Himalaya Starting from Educationists, Environmentalists to Lay persons everyone is aware of the increasing adverse conditions in Himalayan region today. Mankind realises the concern about environment and biodiversity preservation within Indian Himalayan region. Himalaya is stretched in an arc over 3,000 kilometers from Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the northwestern & northeastern states of India. This includes the world's highest mountain, Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) as well as several of the world's deepest river gorges. Northeast mountain range covers Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunanchal Pradesh and the Western Himalaya, covers the Kumaon-Garhwal, northwest Kashmir, and northern Pakistan.

2 2 Shodh-Sandhan, 2016, Vol. 01, Issue 2 Biodiversity in Himalayan Region In the Himalaya hotspot, thousands species of plants & Birds, hundreds species of mammals & reptiles & amphibians, some of the highest densities of tigers are present. Some of Asia s largest birds live in this hotspot like vultures. Zone of permanent rocks and ice begins at about 5,500-6,000 meters. In spite of these harsh conditions, there are records of vascular plants occurring at some of the highest elevations on Earth. All these specialities are giving it a special kind of ecological balance, which is now being threatened by human activities. Despite its apparent remoteness and inaccessibility, presently Himalaya is not being spared by human- induced biodiversity loss. Threat to Himalayan Biodiversity Human beings derive many essential goods from natural ecosystems that constitute important parts of the economy such as food, fresh water, timber, fuelwood, fiber, non-timber products, biochemical, genetic materials, etc. Human economy depends upon the services performed "for free" by ecosystems. People have lived in the mountains of the Himalayas for thousands of years but in recent decades, greater access to the global market has increased the demand for natural resources in the area. As a result, the steadily increasing population in this region has led to extensive clearing of forests and grasslands for cultivation, and widespread logging. Both legal and illegal logging often occurs on extremely steep slopes, resulting in severe erosion. Large areas of remaining habitat is highly degraded by overgrazing by domestic livestock, including cattle and domesticated yak. The flora has been overexploited for traditional medicine as medicinal plant collectors invariably uproot the entire plant thus regrowth is retarded. Millions of indigenous people who live there sometimes hunt rare animals (30 rhinos were killed in a single day in September). The area is also under pressure from modern development. Such as India alone is planning 400 dams on its side of the Himalayas, while China is planning 400 on the other side. Although hydropower provides clean energy but infrastructure need of roads etc. disturbs the ecology of area to a large extent. Climate change appears to be another threat. Between 1982 and 2006, average temperatures in the region have increased twice as compared to global temperatures, while rainfall has increased by an average of 163 millimeters. The consequences of biodiversity loss from climate change are greatest on the poor and marginalized people who depend mostly on the natural resources. Folktales Folktales are the stories passed down verbally from generations to generations for which text have been handed down by oral traditions among common people. In traditional culture of India folktales had a very important role in framing peoples outlook towards external world. In the free time elders, grandparents or senior persons from family or community used to engage children through folktales, thereby developing in them some favourable behaviour patterns, giving them moral education through these tales. It was sort of part of the informal education at home. Folkstales were educative in nature and mostly based on some fictional sequences. It can be compared with the stories of Panchtantra. Panchatantra is the ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables arranged within a frame story, based on older traditions of Niti, which is hard to translate but roughly means prudent worldly behaviour or wise conduct of life.

3 3 Shodh-Sandhan, 2016, Vol. 01, Issue 2 Folktales as a Tool to Conserve Environment Folktale is a special type of tool that can be utilized as part of the efforts required in awakening people for environmental degradation in Himalayan region. Folktale is a family or community activity that intensifies the experience of the both participants i.e. narrator and audience. It advances the knowledge of the person concerned. Along with this, it is a good form of healthy entertainment. Life experiences are also added here to make it richer and more effective. Its a vibrant entertainer, highly participative activity and promotes group consciousness. The urge for sustainable development is important for the replacement of selfish individualistic instincts in the usage of natural resources, with a patriotic societal habit of ensuring the continuous availability of these resources for coming generations. Folktale is a creative activity through which vague concepts can be understood. The fragmented gaps are filled and dreadful issues are overcome. The narrator and listener has freedom to create and express their ideas and situations. It is a highly participative affair. It can be best used when relevant issues are narrated at home by mother and grandparents during relaxing hours. Through these oral traditions children can unconsciously learn their future roles in a society as well, hence it can be used as a vehicle of information to our children on the environment to let them know the current problems and challenges that are being faced to restore nature. Folktale is told any time provided people are gathered together, and want to tell stories. The narrator has to depict real situations and the characters can be given names of human beings. This makes it possible for the children to have a real feel of the environmental situation depicted. Creation of Innovative Folktales This is a fake concept that folk has to be only ancient and it can be taken only from the history. Whatever we create today has to become ancient with the passing of time. Everyday new folksongs are being created. The condition is that, it has to be its root in our original culture. Some areas can be identified to create innovative folktales : Nature Conservation in Indian Traditions Living in harmony with Nature has been an integral part of Indian culture. The concept of sinning against nature existed in various religious systems. Many of the rituals may seem meaningless and superstitious to modern society but they were traditional strategies to preserve the intrinsic relationship between man and nature. The worship of trees, animals, forests, rivers, and the sun, and considering the earth itself as Mother Goddess, were part of the Indian tradition. This field can be of great help to generate new ideas for creating innovative folks. Sacred Plants From ancient times many plants and animals have been considered sacred in India by various communities worshipped by several Hindu and other communities, thus have received protection for centuries. The most outstanding examples are the peepal tree, the banyan tree, a number of other trees and plants were considered sacred and grown in temple premises and these have been traditionally never cut. These include the sandalwood tree, beetle nut, palm, neem, coconut palm, juniper, champa, lotus, tulsi, pepper, etc. Such traditional cultural attitudes, though based on religious faith, have made significant contribution in the protection and propagation of various species of trees and plants in India. Various trees are worshipped on several festivals. These beliefs can be used while framing new tales.

4 4 Shodh-Sandhan, 2016, Vol. 01, Issue 2 Sacred Animal and Birds The tiger and the cobra, though greatly feared, are given protection on religious grounds. God Shiva is clad in a tigerskin and tiger was the most primitive vehicle of Shiva. Tiger is the Vehicle of Goddess Durga, Owl is the vehicle of Goddess lakshmi. Later, when cow-worship started in society, Shiva was made to ride on a bullock, but a tigerskin was preserved for his wearing cloth and seat. Baghel Rajputs in Rajputana are the descendants of some primitive community of tiger-worshippers. They worship tigers and never hunt them." Elephant is considered as the symbol of Lord Ganesha. Sheshnag is sleeping bed of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Saraswati rides on white Swan, Lord Vishnu rides on Garud, Ganesha rides in mouse. Snacks are also worshiped in Hinduism. All these animals are protected by religion traditionally in our country. Numerous folktales are also associated with the protection of trees and animals in our religious literature. Story of Siddartha gives a massage that saving animals & birds is always considered as sacred. All such cultural heritage is a very good raw material for innovative tales. Modern Tales Using modern characters which are predominant in children literature today like Tenaliram, Dabbuji, Lambu- Chotu, Patlu- Motu, Akbar-Birbal, characters in Champak, Chandamama, Parag, Nandan, Vikram aur Betal, Tom & jerry, Jack & Jill, Humpty Dumpty etc. new tales can be created. Fairytale characters like Cindrella, Robinhood, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, David Copperfield, Mickey & Donald, The Little Mermaid and various magicians & wizards, Spiderman, White Fox, Greedy Jackal etc. are the numerous names which can be given framed into the tales. These small folktales will be able to provide healthy environmental entertainment to the whole community along with children of the hilly region. Implementation Phase First of all existing folktales available has to be collected, listed, preserved &transmitted in the society by all possible means. Then new innovative folktales has be composed and spread in the masses. In this phase government and non- government agencies will have to work in close collaboration to awaken people so that they may be able to be use readymade tales, else can frame their own imaginative tales using experiences of daily life. As it will be a tool for informal education, so its implementation will be totally informal but with proper conscious efforts of the members of family and community. Here is the list of implementing agencies of such folktales narrators : By parents especially mothers to their children during relaxation time or before retiting to bed. By grandparents to the children of family, neighbourhood and friends. By teachers in pre-primary, primary classes in the informal manner. Cultural programmes based on such folktales can be prepared in schools. These tales can be broadcasted on radio in special sessions, as radio is still a medium of mass communication in remote areas. Educational T V shows of such tales can be prepared. In the implementation phase when we shall start to adopt this strategy for conservation of Himalayan and may be for other hilly region, new ventures will come up in its own way to show the ways to propagate this.

5 5 Shodh-Sandhan, 2016, Vol. 01, Issue 2 Conclusion Changing the attitude of the persons, especially when they have been living with their own focused way of leading life is not a easy task to accomplish. But if we are trying to change the societal attitude one has to be prepared to work in a sustained manner for a long time. After all sustaining and conserving bio-diversity & environment in the Himalayan region is a herculean task, which has to be taken up seriously for the existence of the region. We have to adopt the policy of Slow and steady wins the race to keep on working on it. Every small step taken for the cause can turned to be milestone with the passing of time. For the children who are young and still in the process of forming their values about future life, the early inculcation of correct environmental information is capable of making them environment friendly citizens of future. Responsibility of making them aware about environmental hazards which is a prerequisite for sustainment of coming generations lie on the adults. No member of civilised society can be spare of this important responsibility. Parents, grandparents, teachers, adults in the society in any role must be directly involved in shaping the children to become agents of environmental advocacy. Women, especially mothers, and the young minds they groom owe the environment a responsibility, a great part of which is the sanity and safety of the world, and the continuity of the human race. They have a potent tools in form of folktales. They must use it in the social responsibility of shaping the humanity. Thus adopting this tool our children would not only grow up into environmentally-responsible citizens, but also will act as agents of change for a degraded to a sustainable Himalayan region. Reference [1] An International Journal of Language, Literature and Gender Studies (LALIGENS), Ethiopia Vol. 4 (2), Serial No 10, May, 2015: ISSN: (Print) ISSN (Online) [2] Alvin Powell, Harvard Staff Writer, The Himalayas amazing biodiversity, Harvard Gazette Oct [3] Bansal, Sunita Pant (2005). Hindu Gods and Goddesses. New Delhi, India: Smriti Books. ISBN [4] Chaudhary, R.P Biodiversity in Nepal : Status and conservation, Craftsman Press, Bangkok. [5] Mark Mc Ginley, : Biological diversity in the Himalayas, Conservation International Nov.4, 2014 [6] Ghosh, A.K Faunal Diversity. In G.S. Gujral & V. Sharma. (Eds.), Changing Perspectives of Biodiversity Status in the Himalaya. New Delhi: The British Council. ISBN: [7] Folktales From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [8] S.M. Nair, Cultural traditions of nature conservation in India. Untitled document on google. Copyright for articles published in this journal is retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. By the appearance in this open access journal, articles are free to use with the required attribution. Users must contact the corresponding authors for any potential use of the article or its content that affects the authors copyright.