Kozhikode will host a three-day hackathon organized by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) from November 24th to 26th. The event focuses on leveraging technology to document and preserve traditional knowledge related to biodiversity.
The hackathon, titled “TBK Hackathon 2023,” aims to create digital tools and resources based on Traditional Biodiversity Knowledge (TBK) held by local communities. Participants will work on developing applications, databases, and other technological solutions to catalog, analyze, and disseminate this knowledge.
The ZSI is collaborating with the Kerala Biodiversity Board and the Kerala State Higher Education Council for the event. It’s part of the ‘Biodiversity Information System’ project under the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-being.
The hackathon is open to students and researchers from various disciplines including zoology, botany, computer science, data science, and anthropology. Participants can register individually or as teams. The focus areas include developing tools for species identification, creating digital repositories of TBK, and designing platforms for knowledge exchange between local communities and researchers.
The event will feature mentorship from experts in biodiversity, technology, and data science. Winning teams will receive cash prizes and opportunities for further collaboration with the ZSI.
The ZSI intends to use the outputs of the hackathon to enhance its biodiversity database and promote the conservation of biological resources. The initiative recognizes the crucial role of local communities in preserving biodiversity and aims to integrate their knowledge with scientific research. The hackathon seeks to bridge the gap between traditional ecological knowledge and modern technology, fostering a more holistic approach to biodiversity conservation. It also aligns with national and international efforts to document and safeguard indigenous knowledge systems.
