Exploring Living Heritage Through Ethnozoology: Tribal Uses of Faunal Resources in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Ethnozoology is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between human cultures and the animal species with which they interact, focusing on their use, symbolism, and ecological roles within traditional knowledge systems. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles animals play in human societies, emphasizing their medicinal, nutritional, religious, and economic importance. A total of 72 species were documented, with more than half primarily used for medicinal purposes, underscoring the crucial role of animals in ethnomedicine. The study reveals significant variation in how animals from different phyla are utilized. Simpler organisms such as earthworms and fish are mainly associated with medicinal uses, whereas more complex taxa including molluscs, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals exhibit multifaceted roles spanning food, medicine, commerce, and religion. Mammals demonstrate the greatest diversity of usage patterns, playing key roles in both material subsistence and cultural traditions. The increasing commercialization of wildlife, particularly for body parts, raises conservation concerns for species such as Gyps bengalensis and Manis crassicaudata, both classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The study advocates for integrated conservation strategies that balance cultural practices with ecological sustainability, highlighting the importance of community-based wildlife management and awareness programs. Additionally, the commercialization of high-demand species poses risks of overexploitation and population declines, emphasizing the need for sustainable harvesting practices and conservation-oriented management approaches.