Authors: Anoop Kumar, Anand Kumar
Abstract: Sustainable development has become an important issue that needs to be addressed by India, as the country is facing the issues of environmental degradation, climate change, depletion of natural resources, and poverty. In the current scenario, Indian Knowledge System (IKS), which is based on centuries of indigenous experience and traditional ecological wisdom, provides many ways to achieve sustainability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the importance of sustainable development practices with special emphasis on traditional indigenous knowledge systems in India. It is argued that the indigenous knowledge system in India represents sustainable practices that integrate environmental harmony, social equity, and economic viability. Through an examination of various indigenous traditional practices like rainwater harvesting, organic farming, agro-forestry, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management, it will be established that sustainable development practices are an important means to sustain livelihood and reduce environmental pressure. Indigenous knowledge is deeply connected with the local environment, as it involves principles of conservation and regeneration of natural resources. Therefore, through the analysis of traditional indigenous knowledge systems in India, the paper will discuss the contribution of local indigenous communities towards biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. Additionally, the paper highlights that sustainable development is impossible to realize using modern technology alone without taking into account traditional knowledge that is rooted in culture. Using traditional knowledge in sustainable development is not only beneficial to achieving sustainability but is also important in ensuring inclusion. It becomes clear from the research presented in this paper that the Indian Knowledge System is not just a heritage asset but also the basis of sustainable development.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19704563
