Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Sustainable Development of Rural Soil and Water Resources (Case study: Ghasab Zalelkan Village, Babol City)

Empowering the local community through localization and based on indigenous knowledge is one of discourses that propounded in new development paradigms. Localization is in relation to dealing community with transformation trend from traditional to modern. In this study, using two questionnaires, asked heads of households view points about the difference between indigenous and formal knowledge in the field of natural resources in rural areas, especially water and soil was investigated. Using the 64 questionnaires in Ghasab Zalekan village, Babol city, Mazandaran province, distinctions of formal and indigenous knowledge were evaluated with two approaches zero and one and low, medium and high ratings. The results show that in this village, 13.16 percent of voters agree to indigenous knowledge adaptively and 28.92 percent of voters to formal knowledge scientifically. As well as, other parameters in each knowledge subjects were ranked. Also, with investigating strategies of this two kind of knowledge to conserve soil and water resources, the indigenous knowledge with 48.056 percent is more efficient and adaptive. The results show 5.979 percent acceptance rate about innovation and new technologies such as product, achievements and technologies must be adapted with indigenous knowledge and be responsible to rural problems.