THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF WOMEN’S INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN INDIAN ECOLOGY: AN ECOFEMINIST PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The indigenous knowledge of Indian womenfolk has been an indispensable but often undervalued component in understanding India's environmental sustainability. Rooted in the core essence of indigenous epistemologies, everyday household practices, and shared experiences within the community-based tradition. Women across India’s diverse ethnic background have developed the sophisticated and unique understanding of different elements of nature, ecological rhythms and climate variability. Framed through an eco-feminist approach which examines the interconnectedness between women and nature within a patriarchal socio-economic structure. The article tends to explores how the women's indigenous knowledge serving as a transformative force in the Indian ecological landscape. The data are derived from the published secondary sources and region-specific narratives along with some field observations. This study underscore and highlights women's critical role in environmental conservation, resource management, and community resilience. Incorporating the historical and contemporary eco-feminist environmental movement, the article argues that women's indigenous knowledge is not only a cultural heritage but also a vital tool for inclusive and sustainable environmental governance.