The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) successfully concluded the International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2026), which also marked the 25th anniversary of the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK). The conference, held over two days, featured comprehensive scientific sessions addressing various aspects of traditional knowledge preservation and dissemination.
The final day commenced with a dedicated scientific session entitled "Challenges and Opportunities in Scholarly Communication in Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating 25 Years of Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (IJTK)". The session opened with a commemorative video documenting the inception, advancements, and key milestones of the IJTK over its 25-year journey. Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, officially released the IJTK 25th anniversary issue during the session.
Dr Ina Vandebroek, Professor of Ethnobotany at the University of the West Indies, Mona, delivered the first keynote address online, sharing her expertise on working with local communities in the biodiversity hotspots of the Caribbean deep forests in Jamaica and emphasizing the necessity of becoming stronger community allies. Prof. Pulok Mukherjee from Jadavpur University and Executive Editor of IJTK emphasized translating traditional knowledge into global evidence through omics integration, highlighting Lok Swasthya Parampara and sustainable impact. Dr H. R. Nagendra, Chief Editor of IJTK, highlighted the journal's evolution and scientific indexing milestones, while former editors Dr N. R. Mankad, Dr T. K. Mukherjee, and Dr K. P. Singh recalled IJTK's inception, 25-year scholarly journey, and editorial legacy.
The fifth scientific session, titled "Challenges and Opportunities in Popularising Traditional Knowledge," was chaired by Shri P. A. Vivekananda Pai, Secretary General of Vijnana Bharati, Kerala. He highlighted India's foundational contributions to Mathematics, specifically the Kerala School of Mathematics and Madhava's work on calculus, alongside core scientific frameworks like Panchamahabhuta and Panchikarana. He insisted on overcoming colonial and anthropocentric mindsets and scaling indigenous technologies to strengthen local economies and sustainability.
Dr Pramod Grover, Director of Science City, Kolkata, highlighted the role of the National Council of Science Museum (NCSM) in science communication through interactive exhibits and teacher training. He recommended establishing collaboration between NCSM and SVASTIK and creating a traditional knowledge hub to extend scientific outreach to rural communities. Dr V. V. Binoy, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, addressed contextual and participatory models of science communication, emphasizing engagement with traditional knowledge holders and recommended integrating indigenous epistemologies into science classrooms.
The final scientific session, titled "Sustainable Innovation and Development: Experiential Learning from Social Researchers and Traditional Knowledge Holders," was chaired by Dr Arvind C Ranade, Director of the National Innovation Foundation, Gandhinagar. He outlined three key pillars of sustainable innovation: environmental sustainability, economic viability, and fair benefit-sharing with traditional knowledge holders. Dr Gajanan Dange, Founder & President of YOJAK, highlighted how India's traditional knowledge systems promote a holistic approach to biodiversity and breed conservation, sustainable agriculture, and preservation of local ecological practices. Shri Krishna Nath, Indian Folk Herbalist from Jorhat, Assam, addressed the rich legacy of traditional healing practices in Assam, drawing on generations of indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and remedies.
A distinguished talk was delivered by Smt. Rahibai Soma Popere, Padma Shri awardee, Farmer and Seed Conservationist from Maharashtra, who shared her inspiring journey of conserving indigenous seeds and reviving traditional farming practices. She highlighted the importance of protecting native seeds, restoring soil health, and moving toward chemical-free agriculture. She emphasized the value of traditional wisdom and called for a return to nature-based farming to ensure household access to toxin-free vegetables and safe, nutritious food.
The conference featured 40 oral presentations and 60 poster presentations from participants across India and abroad. The valedictory session included welcome addresses by Dr Naresh Kumar, Chairperson of CDTK-2026, and closing remarks by Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, who highlighted ethical engagement, community sensitization, documentation, and benefit-sharing in Traditional Knowledge. Prof B N Jagatap, Former Senior Professor at IIT Bombay, highlighted the importance of formalizing Indian Knowledge Systems and showcasing India's original scientific contributions. Best Poster Presentation Awards were presented during the session.
The conference reaffirmed the importance of scientific validation, ethical dissemination, and community participation in preserving and promoting Traditional Knowledge systems, with particular emphasis on integrating traditional wisdom with modern scientific approaches for sustainable development.