Indigenous People's Knowledge and Sustainable Development, with Special Reference to Sikkim

Firoz Biswas, Dr. Ashis Chandra Pathy, Dr. Samaresh Bharaty

Abstract: Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) are establishing themselves as a significant method of thinking about global sustainable development due to the fact that they provide distinct and tried-and-true solutions to environmental issues. Mainstream developmental methods, which are often founded on reductionist concepts, have typically pushed indigenous perspectives to the side. This has resulted in the loss of biodiversity as well as the collapse of social and cultural norms. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inextricable connection between indigenous biological knowledge and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on the geographical environment and culture that are distinctive to Sikkim. Sikkim, which is mostly populated by the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Limbu tribes, is an excellent illustration of how traditional methods of water management, the protection of sacred groves, the husbandry of wildlife, and the use of traditional medicine are all in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have been established by the United Nations. The purpose of this study is to argue that indigenous knowledge need to be included into state-led development initiatives by analyzing historical patterns and the policy frameworks that are now in place. The move that Sikkim has made to become a state that is entirely organic is offered as an example of this. For the purpose of demonstrating that sustainable development in the Eastern Himalayas is impossible without the active participation and epistemic acceptance of indigenous people, this research makes use of historical analysis, secondary data, and political ecology theories.

Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Sustainable Development, Sikkim, Lepcha, Agro-biodiversity, Sacred Groves, Eastern Himalayas, SDGs

How to Cite?: Firoz Biswas, Dr. Ashis Chandra Pathy, Dr. Samaresh Bharaty, "Indigenous People's Knowledge and Sustainable Development, with Special Reference to Sikkim", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 34-39, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26826124748, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26826124748

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