UNDERSTANDING THE ECO-SUSTAINABILITY LESSONS THROUGH THE FOLKLORE: A CASE STUDY FROM RARH BENGAL, INDIA

Biswas, Shilpa; Bain, Worrel Kumar

doi:10.22034/jsbs.2025.533002.1098

UNDERSTANDING THE ECO-SUSTAINABILITY LESSONS THROUGH THE FOLKLORE: A CASE STUDY FROM RARH BENGAL, INDIA

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Shilpa Biswas ¹

Worrel Kumar Bain ²

¹ Department of Geography Kanchrapara College West Bengal, India

² Gauhati University Gopinath Bordoloi Nagar Jalukbari Assam, India

10.22034/jsbs.2025.533002.1098

Abstract

The dual processes of urbanization and globalization have resulted in a significant decline in environmental conditions, necessitating an urgent increase in environmental protection awareness among people. As the global community faces increasing ecological crises, a burgeoning consciousness surrounding environmental issues, even within traditional societies, has been encouraged. These societies are foundational to cultural heritage and offer critical frameworks for sustainable living practices. To mitigate the adverse impacts of urbanization, industrialization, and globalization, it is essential to integrate adaptive strategies inherent in traditional and indigenous cultures into contemporary sustainability practices. Folklore has emerged as a pivotal vehicle for fostering environmental conservation and has been deeply intertwined with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) since ancient times. In regions such as tropical India, rural areas serve as rich reservoirs of folklore and provide profound insights into ecological sustainability. One salient example is Rarh Bengal, where various elements of folklore illuminate pathways to achieve a harmonious ecological balance in the region. Thus, integrating folklore into environmental education can be a potent strategy for enhancing awareness and promoting eco-sustainability. The communities in this area have historically coexisted with the abundant forests surrounding them, amassing a wealth of ecological knowledge encoded in their cultural practices and folklore over generations. Their traditions encompass symbolic and ethical imperatives that underscore the importance of respect and compassion toward all living entities. The present study, which employs an empirical framework, endeavors to elucidate the invaluable lessons in eco-sustainability from the perspective of the communities. It seeks to explore, analyze, and interpret their worldview, traditional ecological knowledge, and diverse expressions such as folktales, myths, rhymes, legends, riddles, and proverbs. They are vital elements that are deeply interwoven with the cultural ecology of the Rarh region. Furthermore, the research highlights the relevance of folklore in promoting ecological sustainability, examining the beliefs and practices that shape communities’ identities and interactions with their natural surroundings.

Keywords

Rarh region

Folk community

Folklore

Traditional ecological knowledge

Ecological sustainability

چکیده: فرآیندهای دوگانۀ شهرنشینی و جهانی‌شدن منجر به افول چشمگیر شرایط زیست‌محیطی شده‌اند و ازاین‌رو افزایش فوری آگاهی عمومی نسبت به حفاظت از محیطِ زیست ضرورتی انکارناپذیر یافته است. با گسترش بحران‌های زیست‌محیطی در مقیاس جهانی، نوعی بیداری و آگاهی فزاینده نسبت به مسائل محیط زیست حتی در جوامع سنتی نیز پدید آمده است. این جوامع که شالودۀ میراث فرهنگی را تشکیل می‌دهند، الگوهایی بنیادین برای شیوه‌های زیست پایدار ارائه می‌کنند. برای کاهش اثرات منفی شهرنشینی، صنعتی‌شدن و جهانی‌شدن، لازم است راهبردهای سازگارانه‌ای که در فرهنگ‌های بومی و سنتی وجود دارند در سیاست‌ها و اقدامات معاصرِ توسعۀ پایدار ادغام شوند. ادبیات عامه (فولکلور) به‌عنوان ابزاری محوری در ترویج حفاظت از محیط زیست مطرح شده و از دیرباز با «دانش بوم‌شناختی سنتی» پیوندی عمیق داشته است. در مناطقی مانند نواحی گرمسیری هند، روستاها به‌منزلۀ مخازن غنی فولکلور، بینش‌های ژرفی نسبت به پایداری بوم‌شناختی فراهم می‌کنند. یکی از نمونه‌های برجسته، منطقۀ «رار بنگال» است که در آن عناصر گوناگون فولکلور مسیرهایی برای دستیابی به تعادل بوم‌شناختی هماهنگ در منطقه را روشن می‌سازند. ازاین‌رو، ادغام فولکلور در آموزش‌های محیط‌زیستی می‌تواند راهبردی مؤثر برای ارتقای آگاهی و ترویج پایداری زیست‌محیطی باشد. جوامع این منطقه از دیرباز در کنار جنگل‌های انبوه پیرامون خود زیسته و در طول نسل‌ها، گنجینه‌ای از دانش بوم‌شناختی را در قالب سنت‌ها و فولکلور خود انباشته‌اند. آیین‌ها و باورهای آنان دربردارندۀ مضامین نمادین و اخلاقی هستند که بر احترام و شفقت نسبت به همۀ موجودات زنده تأکید می‌ورزند. پژوهش حاضر با رویکردی تجربی در پی آن است که آموزه‌های ارزشمند مربوط به پایداری بوم‌شناختی را از منظر این جوامع تبیین نماید و جهان‌بینی، دانش بوم‌شناختی سنتی و نمودهای گوناگون آن‌ها همچون داستان‌های عامیانه، اسطوره‌ها، ترانه‌ها، افسانه‌ها، چیستان‌ها و ضرب‌المثل‌ها را بررسی، تحلیل و تفسیر کند. این عناصر، اجزای حیاتی‌ای هستند که به‌طور عمیق در بوم‌فرهنگ منطقۀ رار تنیده شده‌اند. افزون بر این، پژوهش حاضر بر اهمیت فولکلور در ترویج پایداری زیست‌محیطی تأکید کرده و باورها و کنش‌هایی را بررسی می‌کند که هویت جوامع و رابطۀ آن‌ها با محیط طبیعی پیرامونشان را شکل می‌دهند.

کلیدواژه: منطقۀ رار، جامعۀ عامیانه، فولکلور، دانش بوم‌شناختی سنتی، پایداری زیست‌محیطی.

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