Wildlife trapping technology of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Hunting and trapping of wild animals was banned by India’s Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. While the state terms it an illegal activity, various social science scholars believe it is a source of livelihood for people living in mountainous terrains. They argue that wild animal trapping is a part of people’s livelihood and is linked to the socio-cultural lifeworld of Indigenous people. At the same time, the debate revolves around sustainability; specific knowledge about wild animals and their landscape required for trapping and other subsistence activities is often sidelined. Therefore, this project aims to document the people’s knowledge of wildlife trapping in Arunachal Pradesh. It intends to identify the different techniques used by the Idu Mishmi to trap wild animals and document the technical know-how involved in each technique. Eleven trapping techniques, including fishing methods, were documented, of which four are explained in detail: the preparation, materials used, seasons of their usage, and the animals targeted. The people of Arunachal Pradesh depend on their traditional knowledge of the landscape, forest, and animals, which are crucial for farming, hunting, and trapping practices.