Indigenous Knowledge and Practices to Combat Climate Crisis and Land Management in the Eastern Himalayas
摘要
The current global climate crisis poses significant threats to ecosystems, livelihoods, and biodiversity. In many indigenous communities around the world, their long-standing indigenous knowledge (IK) and practices offer sustainable solutions for mitigating environmental degradation and climate change. The chapter explores how the indigenous communities of the Indian Eastern Himalayas (IEK) use their IK practices to address the climate crisis. Various tribal communities in the IEK have a long-standing connection with nature, which is reflected in their IK for sustainable land management practices. Their traditional agricultural practices embody an integrated approach to soil and land management that balances human needs and environmental health, contributing broader efforts to combat climate change. This chapter documents various indigenous practices and emphasizes the importance of preserving and mainstreaming IK in global contemporary climate policies to create equitable, culturally relevant, and effective solutions for the climate crisis.