Erosion of biodiversity knowledge between younger and older generations in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir Himalaya (India)

The present study deals with the erosion of biodiversity (plants) knowledge between older and younger generations (both male and female) regarding their identification and respective uses. During the study it was found that the older generations comparatively has a vast knowledge about the local biodiversity including its identification, uses and conservation. An average total of 139.6 plant species were identified and listed by the older generations with their various uses, while the average total of only 88 plant species could be identified by the younger generations. Therefore, an average of 36.96% (51.6 plants) of biodiversity knowledge was eroded in the younger generations regarding their identification as well as 25-37.5% of about various uses of plants as compared to the older generations. This erosion has occurred in the younger generations due to lack of proper interaction with the older generations regarding the local biological diversity knowledge and its importance. The main purpose of this study was to assess the local biodiversity knowledge in the younger generation as compared to the older one and to try to understand the reason responsible for the loss of this knowledge as well as pave this gap through documented literature and the help of older generations of the area.