Coexistence through cultural revival among the adi bokar community in arunachal pradesh

Abstract

Their study explores how cultural revival can foster coexistence with wildlife amid ecological and social transitions. The Adi Bokar, a sub-tribe of the larger Adi group residing in the Monigong circle of Shi-Yomi district with a population of approximately 10,000, depend heavily on agriculture and forest resources. However, they face persistent challenges, including limited access to health, education, infrastructure, and livelihood opportunities. Increasing religious conversion has contributed to the erosion of indigenous traditions and disrupted intergenerational knowledge transmission. Through an ethnographic approach combining community meetings, semi-structured interviews, ritual documentation, and a 12day high altitude trek to the culturally significant region addressed by the community as “Dibin”, the study investigates community perceptions of wildlife and the cultural dynamics of coexistence. Findings reveal that wildlife presence aligns with agricultural cycles and environmental cues, but species composition is shifting due to deforestation, religious transition, and broader ecological changes. Negative interactions between humans and wildlife remain a concern, reflecting both ecological stress and livelihood insecurity. The community’s coping strategies—ranging from non-lethal deterrents to occasional lethal measures—demonstrate the delicate balance between subsistence needs and conservation ethics. The study underscores the interconnectedness of ecology, culture, and livelihood, advocating for integrative conservation frameworks that recognize indigenous knowledge and support cultural revival as a pathway toward sustainable human–wildlife coexistence and conservation of biodiversity.