Discuss the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge of India's tribal communities with modern disaster management frameworks. Mention two examples where indigenous practices have contributed to disaster resilience.

Importance of integration of Indigenous knowledge into disaster management

1. Eco-sensitive perspective that looks at totality of ecological processes. eg: Ubuntu philosophy that sees human and nature as interconnected.

2. Sacred groves and importance of plantations.

Best Practice - Kerala has used Bamboo plantations to prevent landslides.

1. Respecting nature and its carrying capacity. eg: Himalayan landslides because carrying capacity exceeded.

2. Practice of bunding and indigenous water management of rivers through check dams → flood management.

3. Preference towards natural, organic, local produce such as millets, mahua, natural food & local fruits.

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food and nutritional security

1. Egalitarian social structure and care for vulnerable members like aged, children → disaster vulnerability assessment and mapping.

Examples (1) Plantations and sacred groves

• mangrove cultivation under MISHTI scheme in west and east coast to provide resilience to cyclones, storm surges.
• Kerala → Bamboo plantation to prevent soil erosion.
• Himalayas → JFM with indigenous tribes to prevent forest fires.

(2) Forest-driven, eco-sensitive lifestyles

• lowering carbon footprint
• Disaster management by respecting carrying capacity
• Himalayas → reforestation