Paper long abstract:

For centuries, tribals, rural and hill communities have been effectively managing their natural resources using a wide range of traditional practices and self imposed rules. For instance, Bhotiya tribe in Uttarakhand uses different types of forests for different purposes and classified that as sacred, grazing or fuel gathering. Access to these forests is strictly regulated and the collection of fuel wood and the grazing of animals are forbidden. It shows that to maintain ecological balance, the hill communities practice rules of self restraint. The latent functions of all these rituals and customs are to protect and preserve natural resources which are the basis of their survival. These customary practices have high acceptability because the entire community is aware of the rationale behind such conservation. However, growing population illegal felling of forest trees and introduction of development projects are becoming cause for vast and fast depletion of natural resources. This has a negative impact on the communities especially women who are dependent on natural resources for their livelihood and habitation. This situation has led to the emergence of 'Chipko Andolan' which was led mainly by the local women of hill region.

Objectives of the paper is to find -out the role of indigenous knowledge and cultural practices in the management of natural resources and the mechanism through which communities consume, sustain and conserve these resources and maintain equilibrium with the ecological system. Also to find out how women are coping-up in the given situation.