Conversations on Conservation- Archana Soreng

Fighting climate change with indigenous wisdom

The language of climate change and climate action often excludes the people who have the oldest and the deepest connection with the environment.  Adivasis-India’s original inhabitants have been protecting and nurturing their jal, jungle, jameen for centuries. Their philosophy of collectivism, spiritual relationship with their surroundings, and their livelihood and traditional conservation knowledge and practices is something to be recognized, appreciated, and learned from. The Adivasis should be the leaders of conservation, not victims of it.

This series is an attempt to document the voices and experiences of the indigenous communities that are often missing in the climate discourse and also share their wisdom and traditional knowledge systems for a healthier, sustainable, inclusive and just planet.

Archana Soreng, Kharia Tribe, Odisha

 Environmental activist; Researcher at Vasundhra, Odisha and Member of  UN SG's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change

Archana has been actively working towards documenting, preserving, and promoting traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities. She talks about her activism, her relationship with the land and the role of indigenous communities in climate action.

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Illustrated by Sher Singh Bhabhor

Sher Singh Bhabhor is a Bhil artist from Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. He learnt painting from his mother, Bhuri Bai, at the age of seven. By 15, he was drawing on canvas and had developed his own unique colour palette.