Reviving Traditional Water Wisdom of India: A Sustainable Pathway for Socio-ecological Resilience

Revival of traditional water wisdom offers a transformative pathway to enhance socio-ecological resilience under growing water scarcity, ecological degradation and climate change. India has centuries-old indigenous community-driven systems rooted in sustainability, equity, and adaptation to diverse geo-climatic conditions. However, due to rapid urbanization, policy neglect and centralized infrastructure, these practices get eroded. This chapter explores the traditional water management and practices related to water conservation, irrigation and water productivity for fostering social cohesion, cultural values and ecological balance. Such models illustrate integration of traditional wisdom into urban and rural planning can strengthen water resource efficiency, diversify sources, and reduce dependency on energy-intensive supply systems. The chapter also includes a roadmap for policy recognition and integration, community participation, and knowledge-sharing platforms to bridge generational wisdom with current needs. Thus, by revaluation of traditional water wisdom, societies can unlock cost-effective, localized and sustainable solutions, reduce disaster risks, and support climate-resilient development, ensuring resilience and adaptive capacity for present and future challenges.