Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Climate Change Mitigation: A Tool for Sustainable Environmental Management
Dalip Kumar Bhatia
Department of Zoology, VSKC Government PG College, Dakpathar, Dehradun, India.
Sanjeet Kumar *
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
Subhalakshmi Rout
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
Rajkumari Supriya Devi
Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha, India.
Kadambini Das
University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India.
S N Murthy Midde *
ICFRE-Coastal Ecosystem Centre, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Climate change poses as one of the most pressing challenges to ecosystems, livelihoods, and culture worldwide. While modern science has developed advanced tools to predict and address climate change, indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) provide time-tested, locally grounded strategies for resilience and adaptation. This study draws on field and literature surveys conducted across the Eastern Ghats between 2010 and 2024 to document indigenous practices relevant to climate resilience. Data were collected and presented in this article. This study highlights the role of indigenous knowledge in climate change mitigation, focusing on practices such as sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, agroecological techniques, and community-based adaptation strategies. It discusses the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with scientific frameworks as a pathway toward holistic and sustainable climate governance. Additionally, the review addresses challenges, ethical considerations, and the potential for collaborative approaches. This communication aims to contribute towards efforts in mitigating the impact of climate change through IKS.
Keywords: Community-based adaptation, collaborative approaches, sustainable resource management, sustainable climate governance, traditional ecological knowledge