Indigenous Knowledge and Community-Based Climate Adaptation in the Thar Desert, India

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) play a crucial role in promoting locally grounded climate change adaptation, particularly in ecologically vulnerable dryland ecosystems. This study examines the role of CBOs in advancing local knowledge systems to support and strengthen climate change adaptation and resilience in the Thar Desert ecosystem of India. To understand this, we employed a qualitative research design, conducting twelve in-depth interviews, eight focus group discussions, and ethnographic observations in four villages in Rajasthan. We analyzed these data using a grounded theory approach to identify key institutional mechanisms, adaptive practices, and constraints influencing community-led adaptation. The findings suggest that CBOs play complementary roles in revitalizing indigenous water-harvesting systems, strengthening food security, and facilitating intergenerational knowledge transfer. Despite issues such as the dwindling of traditional knowledge, the breakdown of knowledge-sharing mechanisms, uneven participation of women in decision-making, limited technical capacity, and inadequate funding support, these practices have the potential to build resilience and consolidate social relationships. The study highlights the need for locally-led adaptation and provides observations to facilitate replication in other contexts. Further, it highlights the need for policy frameworks that formally recognize and strengthen CBOs as key actors in climate adaptation.