Indigenous knowledge system: A multidimensional science

Indigenous knowledge (IK) or traditional knowledge (TK) or local knowledge (LK) is a type of knowledge developed by any indigenous cultural entity or group or community and is in opposition to modern/scientific knowledge. Such knowledge systems are body or bodies of knowledge of indigenous people inhabiting a specific geographical area. Indigenous people/communities are those which having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other contemporary societies/communities. People of such communities express their belongingness to their communities through selfidentification as indigenous/group consciousness. Such communities are determined to preserve their indigenous knowledge as such type of knowledge appears to be more scientific and multidimensional acquired through empiricism. IK/TK help the communities to maintain harmony with nature-human-universe and also supports for sustainable development. In this backdrop, the present paper drawing insight both from fieldwork among Indian rural and tribal populations as well as utilizing secondary sources of data attempts to discuss the importance and multidimensional scientific nature of IK/TK.