Applied anthropology is the practical application of anthropological knowledge, theories, methods, and skills to identify, understand, and help solve real-life human problems. Anthropology traditionally studies human beings, their biological characteristics, cultures, social institutions, behaviour, and relationships with the environment. Applied anthropology extends this knowledge beyond academic research by using it to address contemporary social, economic, health, environmental, developmental, and administrative issues. It seeks to connect anthropological research with practical action and public welfare. In this sense, applied anthropology may be understood as anthropology in action, where knowledge about human societies is used to improve programmes, policies, institutions, and living conditions. Applied anthropology emerged from the recognition that anthropological knowledge could contribute to practical problems faced by communities and governments. Anthropologists working with different populations observed that development programmes and administrative policies often failed when they ignored local culture, traditions, social organisation, beliefs, and patterns of behaviour. Applied anthropology therefore emphasises cultural understanding and community participation in solving problems. It is concerned not merely with describing societies but also with understanding problems from the perspective of the people affected by them and developing culturally appropriate solutions. The scope of applied anthropology is very broad because human problems are interconnected. It includes areas such as development, public health, medicine, education, nutrition, environmental management, urban planning, agriculture, industry, business, disaster management, human rights, social welfare, and public policy. It may involve all four major subfields of anthropology—cultural or social anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology. Cultural anthropology contributes knowledge about customs, values, institutions, kinship, religion, and social relationships. Biological anthropology can contribute to nutrition, health, human adaptation, and population studies. Linguistic