Water security to mitigate climate change through revival of traditional practices: case studies from Rajasthan, India

<p>Satya Prakash Mehra</p>

Water security to mitigate climate change through revival of traditional practices: case studies from Rajasthan, India

Satya Prakash Mehra

Rajputana Society of Natural History, India

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

For the transformation of the world, 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) with the 169 associated targets were adopted by the world community in 2015. Development of any nation involves social dimensions which are directly related to the cultural set up with their natural resources. The concept of ‘Aranya Samskruti’ (forest culture) deeply embedded in the rituals and conventions of the Indians and the customs describe the symbiotic relationship of nature and human on the principle of ‘Prakruti Purush’ (nature and man). Thus, the socio-ecological systems could be used for site-specific development actions and the policies for achieving the SDGs. The primary aim of this investigation is to highlight the eco-traditional practices inherited in the culture of different communities and to discuss the modern relevance of such practices especially to meet out the challenges of water security and the climate change. Using the cultural ethos, the author developed site-specific models having the global application from the outcome of the extensive scientific and social research carried out in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2017. The models represented the cultural and traditional linkages of community with components of nature. The linkages could be used for the income generation and the livelihood of the local people. The water projects with the aim of mitigating climate change are discussed in brief. It was felt that most of the policies overlook indigenous customs and traditional values and adopt foreign approaches, resulting into the present day challenges at regional context. Then the age-old customary and indigenous traditions are the result of experiential knowledge of the ancestors. The present investigation discusses a few of such traditional conservation practices from Rajasthan (India). On the similar grounds, we must explore the relevance of such practices in the modern time to achieve the global targets of SDGs.