Bridging wisdom and science: Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into modern integrated watershed management

Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) is essential for addressing escalating water security challenges, yet its top-down, technocratic implementation often overlooks local contexts, leading to unsustainable outcomes. This paper argues that the deliberate integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)—a cumulative body of place-based, adaptive knowledge—is crucial for achieving equitable and resilient watershed governance. Through a systematic review of secondary data from the Indian context, this study examines the convergence between documented TEK practices (e.g., water harvesting structures, bio-indicators, local governance systems) and modern IWM objectives. Findings reveal that while TEK offers empirically validated solutions for soil and water conservation, significant epistemological, institutional, and political barriers inhibit its meaningful integration. The analysis underscores a power asymmetry that privileges scientific knowledge, resulting in tokenistic community participation. The paper concludes that moving beyond consultation towards knowledge co-production is imperative. It recommends the creation of bridging institutions, policy reforms to mandate inclusion, and hybrid management approaches that synergize TEK with scientific methods. By fostering pluralistic and participatory governance, IWM can evolve into a truly integrated framework that harmonizes ecological sustainability with social justice.