DOI: 10.70650/rvimj.2025v2i11002

  DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.70650/rvimj.2025v2i11003

Abstract: Sonbhadra district is located in Uttar Pradesh, India. It exemplifies the intersection of rich natural resources, industrial development, and indigenous stewardship. The district spans 6,905 km² in the Vindhyan highlands. It hosts diverse ecosystems, including moist and dry deciduous forests. Over 20% of its population are Scheduled Tribes. These include the Gonds, Cheros, and Kharwars. This paper conducts a geographical assessment of indigenous practices. These practices contribute to sustainable resource management. The assessment draws on secondary literature, ethnobotanical studies, and case analyses. Key practices include rotational harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like Chironji. They also include traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge and community-based forest governance. Governance is under the Panchayati Raj (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. These methods enhance biodiversity conservation. They face threats from mining and deforestation. Findings reveal that integrating indigenous knowledge with policy frameworks could bolster resilience. Sonbhadra is known as the “Energy Capital of India.” Challenges include land alienation and climate variability. These underscore the need for participatory models. This assessment advocates for geo-specific strategies. These strategies harmonize industrial growth with ecological and cultural sustainability. They align with Sustainable Development Goals 13, 15, and 16.

Keywords: : Indigenous knowledge, Sonbhadra, sustainable resource management, Vindhyan highlands, tribal communities, biodiversity conservation.