Traditional knowledge systems across India, particularly among Indigenous and rural communities, have long played a major role in managing land, water, and crops.
(Lavanya et al. 2025) highlighted how communities in Hindu Kush region near by Himalayas, have long relied on Traditional Ecological Knowledge for farming, water management, and disaster preparedness. Practices such as agroforestry, and seasonal crop rotation are deeply adapted to the local terrain and climate. These methods enhanced soil health, conserve water, and reduce climate-related risks such as landslides and droughts. By integrating this knowledge into local adaptation strategies, the region strengthens its capacity to respond to climate stress.
(Parida et al.2020) Tribal communities over Koraput, Odisha, traditionally grew millets that thrived in poor soils and required little water. Millet farming declined due to the push for high-yield rice and wheat under the Green Revolution. Facing unpredictable weather and climate stress, communities began reviving traditional millet cultivation using indigenous seeds methods like mixed cropping, sees-saving. These actions not only restored local biodiversity but also improved food security and made their farming systems more resilient to climate stress.
By bridging the wisdom of the past with today’s climate needs, we can foster sustainable, community-driven solutions that are both effective and enduring. This approach emphasizes the importance of listening to local voices, valuing indigenous practices, and integrating them into broader climate adaptation strategies. In my poster, I aim to show, how such traditional knowledge, when recognized and supported, can significantly enhance climate resilience.
References:
Witharana, Lavanya, et al. “Traditional Ecological Knowledge in High Mountain Asia: A Pathway to Climate Resilience in Agriculture Amidst Changing Climates.” Advances in Climate Change Research, vol. 16, no. 1, 2025, pp. 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2025.01.009.
Parida, Prashant K., et al. “Magical Hands of a Tribal Farmer Set a Milestone in Finger Millet Cultivation: A Case from Koraput, Odisha, India.” Scholarly Journal of Food and Nutrition, vol. 2, no. 4, 2020, Article ID 000144, https://doi.org/10.32474/SJFN.2020.02.000144