Union Minister of State for Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighted India’s approach to integrating science with traditional knowledge on Friday. Singh led India’s intervention at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. He stressed that science and traditional wisdom complement each other in tackling climate challenges.
Singh explained that India has long practiced sustainability through nature-aligned living. He cited examples like the Toda Tribes predicting monsoons from ant nests and the Jarawas forecasting cyclones from fish movement. He also mentioned Rajasthan’s step wells and water conservation methods.
The Minister discussed Mission LiFE, a people-led initiative blending ancestral wisdom with scientific knowledge. He emphasized that the movement promotes environmentally conscious behaviour rooted in India’s traditional ethos while addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
Singh concluded that India’s conservation model combines evidence-based policies with cultural values. He said weaving modern science and traditional knowledge together will transform abstract concepts into practical actions, advancing biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation globally.
