The present study is concerned with how the natural resources are managed and utilized by the people inhabiting in the villages adjacent to Tirumala foot hills (also known Seshachalam or Palakondalu), a semi-arid forest region in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The main thrust is laid on local traditions and indigenous knowledge practices which are developed by the people in course of time utilizing natural resources such as land, water and forest for their survival. Most of the studies on natural resources so far are not holistic in nature and, hence, there is a need for a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of the natural resources. The present study is an attempt in this regard. It builds upon the existing studies and seeks to evolve a new perspective and new direction to understand the utilization, management and conservation of natural resources through indigenous knowledge systems of the local communities inhabiting in the study area. Traditional cultures have always lived in harmony with their natural environments. Nature and human kind (Prakruti and Purusha) form inseparable parts of the life support system. This system has five elements: air, water, land, flora and fauna, which are interconnected, interrelated and interdependent. Deterioration in one element affects the other. These elements are main source for people's livelihoods and these are required as raw materials for procuring anything. It is a known fact that resources are the gifts of nature which form one of the primary assets of the nation' s economy and play a major role in the economic success of the nation. The people in rural areas fulfill their day-to-day needs with the utilization of natural resources like land, water and forests. Majority of villagers depend on agriculture, dairy and livestock rearing using their surrounding resources. Those dwellings near the forest depend on forest for grazing fetching firewood and food material like tamarind, wild vegetable leafs, edible tubers, herbals and other non-timber forest products for both human and animal consumption Due to rapid increase in the use and misuse of natural resources, man has disturbing the ecosystem potential and productive capacity in the name of economic development such as construction of dams, roads, exploration of mines and minerals, extension of land extension, industries construction etc. Traditional social ethics placed great emphasis on the values, beliefs and attitudes that helped to live in harmony with nature.

Indian Council of social Science Research