India reaffirmed that the future of climate action lies in the harmony between science and traditional wisdom, a philosophy deeply embedded in its cultural roots. Speaking at the High-Level Roundtable Dialogue during the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said that Indian ethos has always viewed science and tradition as partners in problem-solving, not competitors.
“India’s ethos believes that science and traditional knowledge are complementing and not competing,” Singh said, urging nations to integrate indigenous understanding with modern innovation. He noted that while science speaks of sustainability today, Indian culture has long practised it through generations of nature-aligned living.
Citing examples of tribal ecological intelligence, Singh referred to how the Jarawa tribes of the Andaman Islands predict approaching cyclones by observing fish movements towards shallow waters , a traditional early-warning method evolved from intimate understanding of marine behaviour. Similarly, the Toda tribes of the Nilgiris interpret weather patterns from the nesting of ants to anticipate monsoons, showing how centuries-old observation can align with modern meteorological science.
“These practices are not folklore; they are proven systems of adaptation refined by time,” Singh said, explaining that the government is actively working to document, validate, and integrate such indigenous insights into national frameworks for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
The Minister also highlighted India’s heritage water conservation systems such as Rajasthan’s step wells and the “Silver Drops of Rajasthan” initiative, which blend traditional architecture with sustainable water management techniques. He said these examples show how cultural legacy can guide present-day ecological engineering.
Emphasising that India’s development philosophy rests on balance, Singh showcased the ‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , a people-led initiative transforming ancestral wisdom into daily climate-conscious action. “Mission LiFE turns timeless wisdom into modern action, encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour rooted in India’s traditions,” Singh said.
He described India’s environmental model as “evidence-based, equity-driven, and culturally rooted,” adding that the government’s focus is to make science serve the people while drawing strength from local traditions. Singh said that collective efforts can only succeed when science amplifies the clarity of traditional knowledge and tradition enriches the scope of modern science.
“Weaving the threads of modern science and traditional knowledge together will help move from abstract concepts to tangible action,” he noted, calling for more inclusive and culturally sensitive conservation models.
At the global conservation dialogue, India’s intervention stood out for grounding the climate discourse in the lived experiences of its communities. For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the mention of the Jarawas’ ecological foresight underscores how indigenous wisdom remains a vital guide for environmental stewardship even in the age of artificial intelligence and satellites.
As discussions at the IUCN Congress progress, India’s message remains clear , the path to sustainability runs through the confluence of innovation and intuition, where ancient knowledge continues to illuminate the scientific pursuit of balance with nature.
