The local knowledge is a source of national wealth, plays an important role in the development process of the society if it is combined properly with modern science. In the recent years, in Vietnam there have been quite a lot of research works on this issue by the authors such as: Pham Quang Hoan, Ngo Duc Thinh, Pham Duc Duong, Van Mai Tung... In general, the works introduced generally about the theory as well as practice of the local knowledge of some ethnic minority regions, the people living in the buffer zone and the areas surrounding the national park, at the same time affirmed the important role of the local knowledge during the national development.
The book Local knowledge of the people living in the national park and nature reserve contributes to supplementing the information about the local knowledge in Phu Mat National Park, Nghe An province and Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, Hoa Binh province. The book content is presented in five chapters.
Chapter 1: Factors related to the formation and existence of local knowledge. The author pointed out the natural, economic - social conditions for formation and existence of local knowledge in Phu Mat National Park and Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve.
Chapter 2: Local knowledge in use and protection of soil resources. In this chapter, the author presented the awareness of the people about the types of soil, soil use, soil selection, cultivation techniques for wet rice fields, milpas, forest gardens; means of production in cultivating wet rice fields, milpas, forest gardens; methods to identify, predict the weather phenomena related to production; conventions related to the soil resources and analyze the impacts of the Land Law on land use of the local people.
Chapter 3: Local knowledge in use and protection of water resources. This chapter mentions to the awareness of the people about the water sources and protection of domestic water resources, water resources for agricultural cultivation and aquaculture, breeding.
Chapter 4: Local knowledge in exploitation and protection of forest resources. Introduce the local knowledge of forest and forest resources; of exploitation and utilization of timber and non-timber products; actual state of forest management in Phu Mat National Park and Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve.
Chapter 5: Customs and beliefs, festivals related to the natural resources. Introduce some beliefs, festivals related to the forest and agricultural activities such as: Angel worshipping belief and some other taboos; beliefs in cultivation for wet rice fields, milpas; and some festivals: Puc Temple Festival, Pu Ma Temple Festival, Forest spirits worshipping ceremony, Field going ceremony, Forest opening ceremony, Forest closing ceremony, Farm-work initiation ceremony, New rice ceremony....
On the basis of studying the local knowledge practice of the people living in these two areas, the author proposed some solutions, recommendations for the land management, use policy and economic development in order to improve the life for the people in a sustainable manner as well as encourage them to join the protection and development of forests in these two areas.
The book is a useful material for researchers, policymakers as well as those who are interested in and want to promote the values of local knowledge in the development process.
Nguyen Vu
