2025, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part D

Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) represent a valuable repository of ecological wisdom and cultural practices that have evolved through generations of close interaction with nature. In the context of Malda district, West Bengal, such knowledge not only shapes the cultural identity of indigenous communities but also contributes significantly to sustainable resource management and ecological balance. The district, known for its diverse agro-ecological environment and rich cultural heritage, reflects how traditional practices—ranging from indigenous farming methods, water conservation techniques, and herbal medicine, to rituals and folklore—embody a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.

This study explores the role of indigenous knowledge in promoting both ecological and cultural sustainability in Malda. It highlights how traditional agricultural practices, such as multi-cropping and organic inputs, support soil fertility and biodiversity, while community-based forest use and water-sharing systems ensure resource equity. Simultaneously, cultural traditions, oral narratives, and festivals reinforce values of conservation and collective responsibility. However, these systems face challenges due to modernization, climate change, and the gradual erosion of intergenerational transmission of knowledge.

By documenting and analyzing indigenous practices in Malda, the paper argues that strengthening these knowledge systems is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals at the local level. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to integrate indigenous perspectives into contemporary policy frameworks, educational curricula, and development programs to ensure ecological resilience and cultural continuity. The findings reaffirm that indigenous knowledge is not a relic of the past but a living, adaptive system that offers practical pathways for sustainability.

Thus, indigenous communities of Malda, through their wisdom and practices, exemplify how traditional knowledge can contribute meaningfully to both ecological preservation and cultural sustainability in the 21st century.