Bridging Tradition and Policy: Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge with NEP 2020 for Sustainable Development in Uttarakhand

Abstract

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) refers to the cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs that have evolved through adaptive processes and been handed down through generations by cultural transmission. In Himalayan societies, particularly in Uttarakhand, TEK has been the foundation of human-nature relationships for centuries. This review paper examines the role of TEK in achieving Sustainable Development Goals with special reference to Uttarakhand. Drawing from sociological perspectives, the paper argues that TEK is not merely ecological information but also social capital embedded in community institutions, rituals, and gendered labour. However, rapid migration, formal education, and market integration have led to knowledge erosion in the region. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides a timely framework to revitalise TEK through curriculum reform, community engagement, and experiential learning. By analysing existing literature and policy documents, this paper suggests that integrating TEK into formal education and development planning can contribute to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and cultural identity in Uttarakhand. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for institutionalising community-university partnerships as envisioned in NEP 2020.