Climate Change and SDG 13 in Mizoram: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Development

Mizoram, a biodiversity-rich state in Northeast India, faces significant climate change challenges that threaten its ecosystems and Indigenous Peoples. This paper explores the synergy between Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) – focused on urgent climate action – and the traditional knowledge systems of the Mizo people. By analyzing climate impacts, such as rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, alongside the adaptation and mitigation potential of Indigenous practices like jhum cultivation and forest stewardship, the study highlights their relevance to sustainable development. Case studies from Mizoram illustrate how these practices enhance resilience. Policy recommendations advocate for institutionalizing Indigenous knowledge to bolster climate strategies, offering a model for integrating traditional wisdom with modern science. This approach not only advances SDG 13 but also preserves Mizoram’s cultural heritage amidst global environmental shifts.