Marginalisation and Revival of Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Indian Maritime Policy
Diya Rao Jaini
St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.
Key Highlights
- The distinction between traditional and modern scientific knowledge arises from the infusion of power in the dissemination and perception of knowledge.
- Varsha Mathew, MRC Intern, through fieldwork in Cherthala, Kerala, notes how fishermen used stars to navigate before the advent of technology (2025).
- Coastal commons are natural resources and spaces which can be accessed and used by all members of a community.
Indigenous technical knowledge is an essential source to consult for the development of comprehensive interventions in maritime policy. There is a multiplicity of definitions which emerge from a discussion on indigenous technical knowledge. These raise questions of power, marginalisation and exclusion – themes which remain relevant to understanding the role of indigenous technical knowledge in the process of policy formulation. Through an analysis of historiography around the definition of ‘indigenous technical knowledge’ and its connotations, this article identifies two issues associated with its use in knowledge dissemination and suggests ways in which this knowledge can be incorporated in maritime policy. Though it is important to acknowledge its importance, one must be cautioned against the romanticisation of indigenous technical knowledge. Like any other source, it must be treated with care, and corroborated with other data to produce comprehensive work.
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Diya Rao Jaini
St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.
Diya studied History at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. At MRC, she completed her research internship in ‘Marginalisation and Revival of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge,’ where she explored the significance of preserving local maritime practices and their role in sustainable ocean governance.