28/08/2026
🌊 Towards Collaborative Conservation of Aquatic Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Narmada River Basin
How can Indigenous knowledge, local traditions and science work together to support healthier and more resilient aquatic ecosystems?
On 12 August 2026, stakeholders came together in Mandla, India, for an inception workshop focused on strengthening collaborative conservation and the sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems in the Narmada River Basin.
The River Narmada is one of India’s most sacred and celebrated waterways. Located in its upper reaches, the Mandla landscape is not only ecologically rich but also culturally significant, with local beliefs, traditional knowledge and Indigenous practices playing an important role in how communities interact with and care for their natural environment.
Organised by WorldFish, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and local partner Narmada Samagra, under the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program, the workshop brought together fisher communities and local stakeholders from government departments, the private sector, NGOs and academic institutions.
The discussions explored how traditional knowledge and Indigenous practices can contribute to a more sustainable use and management of the aquatic ecosystem in the Narmada River Basin recognising that effective conservation is strengthened when local knowledge and lived experience are meaningfully integrated alongside scientific research.
Representatives from MFL partner institutions, including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and ICRISAT, also contributed to the occasion.
Beyond the discussions, the workshop celebrated the deep cultural connections between communities and the river. Exhibitions and demonstrations showcased Indigenous fishing tools and gear, while community songs dedicated to the Narmada River and cultural folk dances performed by fishing communities made the event vibrant, engaging and memorable.
🌍 Collaborative conservation means bringing together science, communities, culture and knowledge systems to build more sustainable and resilient landscapes and ecosystems.
Through initiatives like this, the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program is helping create spaces where diverse knowledge systems can come together to inform conservation and restoration efforts rooted in both ecological evidence and local realities.
CGIAR
