Farming Communities and Environmental Stewardship: Defence for Integrating Ecological Knowledge for Sustainability

‘We do not have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. -Howard Zinn

We are living in a tech-centric era. Hunan beings are also predominant in modern culture and technologies. With that concern, our world needs to maintain sustainability for the benefit of future generations. That is why, in 2015, the United Nations developed 17 global goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we know, sustainability is an integral part of our environment, promoting responsible consumption of natural resources and protecting our global ecosystem for future generations. At this point, we need to construct our knowledge and healthily utilize natural resources. To manage various natural resources on our Mother Earth, we need to develop our Ecological Knowledge (EK), which is situational knowledge that human beings acquire through their day-to-day life experiences. This knowledge will help to achieve environmental sustainability. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to a subset of indigenous knowledge, preserved through oral tradition and cultural expressions such as arts, crafts, and ceremonies, as well as the cultivation, collection, and preparation of traditional foods. [1] Situational knowledge is concerned with natives’ problem-solving abilities. The term “knowledge” derives from epistemology, one of the main branches of philosophy. Knowledge refers to the fact of knowing something through experience. Demonstrated that “knowledge is a dynamic human process of justifying personal belief towards the truth.” He asserted that there are two kinds of knowledge: explicit and tacit knowledge. The first form of knowledge can be expressed systematically and shared formally and scientifically. On the other hand, tacit knowledge is rooted in people’s ideas, values, and situations. We can therefore say that ecological knowledge is primarily based on the concept of tacit knowledge, where people share their indigenous knowledge through their own experiences.

Ecological knowledge promotes sustainable behaviour and human survivability through problem-solving capacities. Sustainable development goal 12 ensures responsible consumption and production of natural resources. By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of global resources. This goal mainly focuses on (I) implement the 10 year sustainable consumption and production framework, (ii) sustainable management and use of natural resources (iii) halve global per capita food waste (iv) responsible management of chemical and waste, (v) sustainability reduce waste generation, (vi) encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting, (vii) promote sustainable public procurement practices, (viii) promote universal understanding of sustainable lifestyles, (ix) support developing countries scientific and technological capacity for sustainable consumption and production, (x) develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable tourism, (xi) remove market distortions that encourage wasteful consumption. Goal 13 asserts that climate action requires immediate action to combat climate change and its impacts. The primary targets of this goal are (i) strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related disasters, (ii) integrate climate change measures integrate polices and planning, (iii) build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change, (iv) implement the UN framework convention on climate change, (v) promote mechanisms to raise capacity for planning and management. Farmers are considered the sons of our Mother Nature. Farming communities possess various indigenous grassroots knowledge that they can amalgamate to achieve sustainability in enhancing grain production, as well as minimize environmental pollution at the best possible rate.

I. Ecological knowledge has the potential to promote environmental sustainability. This suggests that ecological knowledge, or situational knowledge, plays a crucial role in achieving environmental sustainability and, therefore, needs to be promoted and protected.
II. The academic world is now leading the way towards achieving sustainability, and it is attempting to develop an inclusive approach to attaining environmental sustainability.
III. Ecological expertise, whether situational or otherwise, is crucial for sustaining our Mother Earth through the responsible consumption of natural resources and protecting our global ecosystems for future generations. It is a placebased knowledge; local people can solve their problems and achieve environmental sustainability through the help of their indigenous knowledge.

Farming Communities and Environmental Stewardship: Defence for Integrating Ecological Knowledge for Sustainability.

[2] conducted a study on ‘Transmission of indigenous knowledge systems under changing Landscapes within the Vhavenda community, South Africa’, stating that indigenous knowledge (IK) is a local knowledge that is transmitted from generation to generation, and is threatened and replaced by Western knowledge and ideologies. The primary purpose of the study was to demonstrate and transmit indigenous knowledge through local communities to other countries. To achieve this, the study employed questionnaires comprising both open-ended and closed-ended questions (n = 136). Participants were identified through purposive sampling from five indigenous villages in South Africa. The data were collected from principal elderly participants aged 50 and above, due to their profound knowledge and experience in the local environment. The study’s findings revealed that prevalent indigenous knowledge can be orally transmitted through songs, stories, dances, myths, customs, and rituals from their ancestors. Due to the invasion of modern technologies, local knowledge gets hindered. To preserve indigenous knowledge through proper documentation, such as building online libraries, integrating Western and indigenous knowledge, and introducing local knowledge into the mainstream education system, the media can also play a crucial role in preserving this knowledge.

[3] carried out a study on ‘Indigenous environmental knowledge and sustainable development: a case study of traditional ecological practices in India’. The study’s primary aim is to investigate the profound wisdom and time-tested practices of indigenous communities in India, addressing contemporary environmental challenges. This study was based on a comprehensive analysis of case studies and ethnographic research. The findings showed the importance of recognizing and respecting indigenous environmental knowledge as a valuable resource for achieving sustainable development. [4] have studied ‘Identification of indigenous knowledge components for sustainable development among the Santhal community’. Stated that indigenous knowledge is community-centric knowledge that is highly tacit and quite difficult to codify. The primary objective of the research was to investigate indigenous practices and their utilization patterns for sustainable development among the Santhal community. The findings revealed that the Santhal community employs various traditional practices, including traditional healthcare, child-rearing practices, agriculture, housing, water preservation, animal nurturing, fishing, and forest resource management, which help achieve sustainability in the specific three domains: social, economic, and environmental. Conducted a study on ‘The value of traditional ecological knowledge for the environmental health sciences and biomedical research. The study’s main objective was to explore the relevance of traditional ecological knowledge to environmental health research. The findings showed that TEK is an element to be quantified in Western scientific studies. TEK can help in understanding the environmental, social, and biomedical determinants of health and improve disease prevention.

I. What ecological knowledge is practiced by the farming communities to achieve environmental sustainability?
II. How far has this ecological knowledge helped to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda) with special references to goals 12 and 13 (Responsible Consumption and Production & Climate Action)?

To identify the ecological knowledge practiced by the farming communities to achieve environmental sustainability.

To know and locate the ecological knowledge that helped to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (2030 agenda) with special reference to goals 12 and 13 (Responsible Consumption and Production & Climate Action).

I. This study is confined to only the farming community of Purulia district.
II. This study is confined to only two villages (Karamara and Tamna) of the Purulia district.
III. The study is confined to only 20 households of the respective villages of Purulia block-1.

Area of the study

The researchers selected two villages from the Purulia block 1. The villages’ names are Karamara and Tamna, where more than sixty households live.

Nature of the study

This study employs a naturalistic inquiry approach, utilizing structured interviews and observational techniques. With the help of ecological knowledge, farming communities such as Mahato, Sarder, Bhumij, Santhal, and Gorain sustain and collect their livelihood. The researchers also conducted two focused group discussions with the elderly, which revealed that through the responsible consumption of natural resources and the protection of our global ecosystems for future generations.

Population of the study

All the Mahato, Sardar, Bhumij, Santhal, and Gorain community members in the Purulia district are considered as the Population of the study.

Sample and the Sampling Procedure

A sample of 250 community members from the Mahato, Sardar, Bhumij, Santhal, and Gorain communities was selected through random sampling. Subsequently, a stratified random sampling technique was employed for data collection.

Objective-1: To identify the ecological knowledge practised by the farming communities to achieve environmental sustainability

Purulia is one of 150 backwards districts of India recognised by the Planning Commission of India. The Human Development Index (HDI) of the district was 0.3084 as per 2011 data. The geological structure of Purulia is fascinating; it is part of the Chhotanagpur plateau, composed of an undulating tract of high ridges and low valleys. Kansabati, Darakeswar, and Kumari are the most significant rivers that originate from the extended part of the Chhotanagpur hills located in the Purulia district. It lies between 22˚60̍ N and 23̍˚50̍ N latitudes and 85˚ 75̍ E and 86˚65̍ E longitudes. The district is surrounded by the Bankura, West Midnapore, and Burdwan districts of West Bengal, as well as the Hazaribagh, Singhbhum, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Bokaro districts of the state of Jharkhand. The cultivation pattern of this district is principally mono-cropped. Paddy is the fundamental crop of the district. 50% of the total land is under net-cropped area, and only 17% of the net-cropped area is under multi-crop cultivation. 77% of the netcropped area is under Aman paddy cultivation. 60% of the total cultivated land is upland. 73% of farmers belong to the small and marginal farmers.

As we all know, Indian farmers possess a diverse body of knowledge based on traditional practices, which have been passed down through generations and are known as traditional knowledge. Traditional knowledge is often referred to as local knowledge, which is highly idiosyncratic to a specific culture or society. It is engrossed with how local people think about and apply their knowledge in agricultural pursuits. Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other land-based activities has been utilized for centuries by farmers, animal owners, and other practitioners. Advances in scientific knowledge in agriculture have challenged the rationality of ITKS and led to the replacement of ITK-based practices. The issue of sustainability in modern scientific technologies and their impact on the ecosystem and environment has garnered the interest of ITKS in recent years (ICAR, 2020). Most of the farming community of Purulia district belongs to the tribal community, known as Santhal, Bhumij, Sabar, Kora, and Bihor. The tribal community of Purulia district continues to utilize the knowledge of their ancestors in agricultural production. This knowledge is acquired and utilized by indigenous communities and individuals through long-term socio-cultural, spiritual and environmental engagement so it is an important element of the intellectual and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples; it reflects their social and historical identity and significantly contributes to the future well-being and sustainable development of these peoples [5]. Purulia is known as the “Land of Red Soil”. There are mainly three types of soil: residual, lateritic, and clay loam to clay, with a sand content of 60%-80%, a silt content of 16-32%, and a clay content of 4-12%. The soil has an acidic pH, ranging from 5.5 to 7.2. The objectives were fulfilled by collecting data through various means, including focused group discussions, observation, and interviews, as well as interactions with people from farming communities in two villages: Mahato, Sardar, Bhumij, Santhal, and Gorain. From these farming communities, researchers explore and analyze the indigenous agricultural practices of the farming communities and their potential for environmental sustainability. Here, environmental sustainability lies in the ability to attain or achieve an environmentally sustainable world. In recent decades, we have seen that farmers are primarily focused on making a profit; consequently, they often overlook the damage caused by ecological imbalances resulting from the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Day by day, the quality of soil health is decreasing, and abnormalities in human health hygiene are increasing, as well as the ecosystem on the earth is being disrupted; hence, all creatures face rapid change and challenge. By the way, they are struggling to survive. Gradually, they become unable to cater for the change and challenge, unable to adjust and adapt. As a result, we have seen a significant decline in the number of insects, birds, flora, and fauna. Even in the context of sustainability, we have failed to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Now, the time has come not to think about the anthropocentric or human-centric perspective, but rather a creature-centric one. Because the sustainable development approach is based on the anthropocentric endeavour, a worldview where everything is determined for the benefit of human beings, while keeping in mind that the world is not for humans only, but for all creatures, in this regard, if we examine the tribal communities, we will see a creature-centric model for development. They worship jol (water), jhangal (forest), and jamin (land).

Land-use and Land Category of Purulia District

Land-use involves the management and modification of the natural environment to create artificial environments, such as settlements and semi-natural habitats, including arable fields, pastures, and managed woods. According to agricultural perspectives, Purulia is surrounded by a forest on a dome-shaped mound, locally known as Dungri. Most of the land is barren and is known as Dangar. Cultivated land may be classified into three types locally, they are known as Bayed, Bahal, and Kanali.

Table 1:Classification of Agricultural land-use patterns in Purulia district

Land use pattern of Tamna and Karamara villages

According to the farming community, the entire land of those villages is divided into three categories: Baid, Kanali, and Bahal. Baid is used as a local term, associated with the upper land, occupying 20% of the total land area of those villages. It is represented as a coarse-grained alluvial soil, where moisture conditions are very low, while agriculture is possible through heavy rainfall. Paddy (dhan), wheat (gam), bajra, arhar (also known as rahar dal), chilli, turmeric, garlic, etc., are the cultivated crops in these regions. Kanali is a medium-sloping land area characterized by a finegrained, yellow alluvial soil of low compactness, where water flow is available only during the rainy season. It occupies 30% of the total land area of these regions. With the help of rainwater, crops such as paddy (dhan), wheat (gam), mustard seeds (shorisha), and vegetables can be cultivated. The Bahal is a lowland characterized by 50% fine-grained alluvial soil with a higher clay content, where the moisture content is very high. Their agriculture is possible throughout the year

Table 2:Identify the crops cultivated in Tamna and Karamara villages Source: Survey, 2024.

Problems faced by the farming community

As we all know, the agricultural conditions of the Purulia district are not favourable, given the land use patterns, climatic conditions, and undulating terrain. Farmers face numerous challenges when cultivating crops. These problems are: -

Natural problems

I. Water scarcity: Water is the most vital natural resource, essential for all socio-economic development and the protection of a healthy ecosystem worldwide. Water scarcity has had a subversive influence on agriculture in the Purulia district. Karamara and Tamna villages, located in the Purulia I subdivision, are facing a water scarcity issue. Storage of rainwater is the primary source of their agriculture. Kangsabati locally known as kasai river passing through these region, is the rain-fed river that is filled by rain water, so only in monsoonal seasons ploughman can get water for cultivation.
II. Soil quality: Soil is an essential component of the Earth’s ecosystem. Soil provides essential nutrients, support, and a foundation for plants to grow. Purulia is known as the “Land of Red Soil”. There are mainly three types of soil: residual, lateritic, and clay loam to clay. The entire topography of the Purulia district is undulating, which may contribute to soil erosion. Soil erosion causes a devastating environmental challenge, adversely affecting the quality of the soil. Most peasants claim that the soil quality is not conducive to agriculture.
III. Drought: Purulia is the westernmost district of West Bengal and is a drought-prone region due to its rainfall deficiency. This region has faced various impacts of drought, such as meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic. Agricultural drought is a condition resulting from insufficient rainfall or soil moisture during the growing season, leading to crop stress and wilting.
IV. Rocky topography: The topography of the Purulia district is characterized by granite and granite gneiss, a complex crystalline rock, as well as undulating terrain, which can hurt agriculture. Undulating terrain can limit the availability of fertile soil; hence, stony topography is not suitable for crop production.

Anthropogenic problems

I. Lack of scientific knowledge about farming: Illiteracy among farmers is a significant issue in India, as well as in Purulia. Agriculture is a field that combines science and technology to produce food and other essential products. Agro-education can help farmers by providing them with the knowledge and skills to adopt new cultivation techniques and manage resources more effectively. Purulia district’s farmers have traditionally relied on knowledge passed down through generations, including the collection of local practices and cultural beliefs. The farming community in Karamara and Tamna villages used cow dung (locally known as Gobor sar) as a fertilizer. Instead of a tractor, they use a bull, ox, or buffalo to pull equipment and plough fields, which is known as ‘hal chash’.
II. Lack of storage facilities for crop preservation: Traditionally, for crop storage, storehouses made of mud, straw, and bamboo structures, known as morai, are used. Due to the lack of warehouses and cold storage facilities, farmers are unable to store their surplus crops for future use.
III. Transportation problems: Most of the tribal farming community used a bullock cart for transporting the crops to the market. Hence, the local market is the primary source of selling the crops. Due to the lack of transport facilities, farmers cannot export their crops to another state or district.
IV. Lack of market access: In Tamna and Karamara villages, the majority of the farming community cultivates crops for their consumption. Due to a lack of surplus product and transportation facilities, they are unable to access the market for product sales.

Objective 2: To know and locate the ecological knowledge that helped to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (2030 agenda) with special reference to goals 12, 13 (Responsible Consumption and Production & Climate Action).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agenda’s mission statement was “A shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”. Goal 12 states about “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”, and Goal 13 is to “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy.

Eco-friendly agricultural practices:

i. Sustaining the land quality, the tribal farming community has been using natural fertilisers such as cow dung, slurry, and plant-based fertiliser. Natural fertilisers release nutrients gradually, which prevents fertiliser burn and holds the land quality for a longer period.
ii. Another eco-friendly practice is crop rotation, a traditional farming community approach that involves growing different varieties of crops in the same area over multiple growing seasons. Crop rotation enhances soil structure, nutrient cycling, and soil compaction, enabling better seed germination, root growth, and water percolation. By implementing the crop rotation method, farmers can minimise the emission of harmful greenhouse gases.

Embracing renewable energy resources through sustainable farming practices:

Farmers are utilizing renewable energy resources, such as sunlight, rainwater, and soil, which significantly reduces their dependency on non-renewable energy sources. Incorporating bioenergy from organic waste materials into the agricultural process promotes the sustainable use of energy resources as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Water resource management:

Water is the primary source of agriculture. Storage of rainwater in an artificial tank is the primary source of water for agricultural use. This promotes sustainability and responsible consumption of water and energy. Therefore, we can say that with the use of ecological knowledge, tribal communities in these villages promote the consumption of resources and sustainable infrastructure, which leads to reduced future economic, environmental, and social costs.

Climate-Sustainable Agriculture

Traditional sustainable agriculture promotes an environmentally friendly ecosystem that sustains biodiversity in this region. Tribal peasants follow Climate Smart Agricultural practices, which enhance productivity and reduce Greenhouse gas emissions. It is an integrated approach where farmers manage landscapes, including cropland, livestock, forests, and fisheries, tailored to specific agro-friendly conditions and socio-economic contexts. This approach involves the adoption of climate-friendly crop varieties, the conservation of traditional agricultural techniques, agroforestry, and effective water management strategies, among others.

Managing Drought Conditions

The climatic condition of the Purulia district is characterized by a tropical savanna climate, featuring hot summers and cold winters. In the summer seasons, the entire district suffered from scorching heat and scant rainfall, resulting from drought, which has increased in the district since 2000 [6]. By using indigenous knowledge, such as crop rotation, the use of natural manure, and rainwater harvesting, they can continue their agricultural practices and prevent devastating drought conditions.

i. This study examines the agricultural problems faced by farmers in the study area, specifically in the Purulia district. The primary challenges in agriculture are water scarcity and a lack of high-quality soil for cultivation. Essentially, laterite soil cannot sustain water as well as preserve it; therefore, researchers would like to draw attention to agricultural scientists, policymakers, and the Government to take the initiative to provide more funds for drilling more ponds to preserve rainwater, as well as check dams [7].
ii. Another perspective is that the Government should focus on the spread of agricultural education in the locality. Hence, farmers can be acquainted with and trained in the use of innovative technological practices to enhance agricultural development.
iii. The government should consider establishing an agricultural warehouse for preserving grains for future use. In this respective study area, there is a lack of a storehouse or warehouse, so farmers are selling their excess grain at a minimum cost. In this regard, researchers aim to draw attention to the Government for taking initiatives that consider the interests of farmers. It is wise to say that there is no culture without agriculture.

There is a wise saying that there is no culture without agriculture. Agriculture is the means of sustenance of human existence and their cultures. As we are aware, farmers play a vital role in the agricultural process. Shastriji said that ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’, Jawan devoted themselves to protecting the motherland, and Kisan devoted themselves to feeding countrymen. So, both are cornerstones or pillars of our nation. Another perspective we can say ‘India is the land of Rishi and Krishi’, Rishi cultivated the human mind for enlightenment, purification, and betterment for humanity. In contrast, Krishi cultivates the land for food, shelter, and clothes [8-10]. Therefore, in the concluding remark, we can say that the farmers are the heart of the agricultural process; they have deep knowledge regarding land, water, weather, seeds, and the environment. It is simultaneously reflected that farming communities hold deep indigenous practices regarding natural fertilizers, land management, water sustainability, seed preservation, and cultivation. It means that the farming community has a generational interest in seeking knowledge, and this knowledge helps them produce grain. [11 & 12] This eco-centric knowledge helps us sustain our Mother Earth, as we are currently facing a crisis in social, economic, and environmental sustainability. This study reveals that farming communities have a profound connection to nature and its natural environmental phenomena. Therefore, if it is possible to make them aware, then achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will be much easier. Hence, through this thematic article, we draw attention to the academic world that we must explore eco-centric knowledge for future sustainability and fulfil the dream of sustainable development.

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