Traditional ecological knowledge and environmental sustainability in khazans

Abstract

Khazan ecosystems are reclaimed wetlands, salt marshes and mangrove areas, where tidal influence is regulated by the construction of embankments and sluice gates. They are predominantly rice and fish fields. Khazan engineering system has a very simple architectural design made from locally available low-cost resources, which is self-operating using tidal, hydro and solar energy, and the one which integrates highly complex, eco-friendly agriculture, aquaculture, and salt panning systems that function for the last more than 3,500 years with very low running cost. This chapter illustrates khazan architecture and presents different types of khazan farms and the processes involved therein, cultural aspects and traditions associated with khazans, traditional ecological knowledge in khazans and ecological services provided by khazans.