Chapter 8: Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge Systems for a Greener Future: Responsible Consumption, Sustainable Diet and Frugal Living Practices in Western Rajasthan

Local food systems, habits and rituals worldwide deserve recognition and preservation for their invaluable wisdom, benefiting individual communities and contributing to the collective global heritage. Indigenous Knowledge Systems play a significant role in promoting frugal consumption and sustainable diets. They emphasise the use of local resources and minimising the carbon footprint associated with food transportation. In some cases, they prioritise conservation strategies – such as crop rotation and organic farming – to preserve soil health and reduce waste.

When frugality becomes a way of life, people develop innovative approaches to reusing and recycling, further reducing waste. Additionally, knowledge of local flora and sustainable harvesting enables families to thrive with fewer resources. The indigenous knowledge integrates cultural heritage into food systems, fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility in resource management, critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 12. These practices were once fundamental to the traditional Indian diet and way of life, yet they are at risk of being lost amid modern advancements.

This chapter conducts a thorough review of the consumption patterns and daily lives of inhabitants in Western Rajasthan to highlight the sustainability aspects of these age-old traditions. It explores how ancient wisdom can be harnessed to create a more responsible and sustainable future by combining appropriate dietary, health and lifestyle practices. In turn, this shift will advance the circular economy, preventing waste, health and resource exploitation. Now is the time to revisit and embrace these cultural traditions, paving the way for a more sustainable ‘farm-to-fork’ system.