Is it possible to find sustainability and solution to these pressing challenges in the wisdom of our ancestors? Imagine a forest that not only teems with life but also holds the stories and cultural values passed down from generation to generation that survives until today.
Recognising the role of indigenous peoples as the keeper of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and sustainable practices that have been developed over centuries is steadily rising. This knowledge, passed down from generation to generation through deep interaction with the natural environment, offers a holistic understanding of ecosystems and sustainable management of natural resources.
TEK includes a deep understanding of natural cycles, weather indicators, plant growth patterns and ecosystem dynamics – wisdom that can only be gained through direct experience and years of observation. This knowledge is invaluable, especially when applied in a modern context to address our increasingly complex environmental issues.
The development of TEK over thousands of years through direct observation and experience with the environment gives validity and resilience to the sustainable practices embraced by indigenous peoples.
Despite comprising only a small fraction of the global population, indigenous communities protect a large portion of the planet’s biodiversity, highlighting their critical role in global conservation efforts.
This article invites you to explore how the traditional values of the Sundanese people, tested by time, offer practical solutions to global challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, and dwindling natural resources.
Elaborating the Concept of Sustainability in the Frame of SDGs
Sustainability in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a global call to transform the world.
The SDGs are designed as an ambitious and interconnected framework to end poverty, combat inequality and tackle climate change. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all people can enjoy health, justice and prosperity, with the fundamental principle of leaving no one behind.
The definition of sustainability underpinning this framework, derived from the Brundtland Report, states that sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This definition implicitly recognizes the finiteness of the earth’s resources and the need for responsible consumption.
Achieving true sustainability requires an integrated approach that considers synergies and potential conflicts between economic, social and environmental goals.
The 2030 Agenda also underscores the “5 Ps” of sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. The inclusion of “Peace” highlights the critical role of stable and just societies in achieving sustainable development.
Conflict and violence can undermine development achievements and impede progress towards the SDGs. In addition, “Partnership” emphasizes the collaborative nature necessary for the successful implementation of the SDGs, involving a wide range of stakeholders. This principle recognizes that no single actor can achieve the SDGs alone.
The SDGs are universal and interconnected, apply to all countries and require a global partnership for effective implementation.
This universality implies shared responsibility and the need for developed countries to also adopt and implement sustainable practices. The linkages between goals show that addressing one SDG can have cascading positive effects on other goals. Investments in clean energy (SDG 7) can contribute to climate action (SDG 13) and improved health (SDG 3).
While these global frameworks are relatively new, the principles they promote – such as responsible resource management, climate resilience, and inclusive development – have long been embedded in indigenous cultures.
Recognizing and integrating TEK into sustainability policies can provide practical, time-tested solutions to achieving these ambitious global targets.
Correlation of Sundanese Practices with SDGs
This is where the role of indigenous communities, particularly Sundanese communities in West Java, becomes relevant as they possess traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) that has been passed down orally and practically through deep interaction with nature.
Traditional practices such as the Ngahuma and Ngaseuk Pare farming systems, the Leuweung Kolot forest management approach, and the use of bamboo in house construction, are clear examples of how local wisdom can be integrated with sustainable development principles.
The communal spirit of gotong royong is embedded in Sundanese agricultural traditions, such as Ngahuma, a form of shifting cultivation that maintains soil fertility through rotational land use. This practice allows the land to regenerate naturally, ensuring long-term food security. Similarly, Ngaseuk Pare emphasizes organic fertilizers and rain-fed irrigation, shows how smart use of natural inputs can reduce the negative impact of synthetic chemicals.
The traditional ecological calendar, Pranata Mangsa, which is based on observations of natural phenomena such as star movements, temperature changes and rainfall patterns, is an important tool for farmers in determining the appropriate planting and harvesting times. Thus, these traditional agricultural practices not only support efforts to achieve food security (SDG 2 – Zero Hunger), but also promote responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
The Leuweung Kolot forest management results in areas that not only provide habitat for a variety of species, but also play a crucial role as water storage and carbon sinks, supporting climate change mitigation efforts (SDG 13) and terrestrial ecosystem conservation (SDG 15).
Traditional practices such as prohibiting exploitation in sacred areas not only maintain the sustainability of natural habitats, but also serve as effective natural resource management systems based on local wisdom.
In infrastructure development, Sundanese communities have adopted the use of natural materials such as bamboo, which has the advantage of being a renewable and earthquake-resistant building material. Traditional houses built with bamboo are not only environmentally friendly, but also provide optimal protection against natural disasters.
The use of bamboo as a construction material is a tangible form of implementing sustainable development principles (SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities) that prioritise resource efficiency and the reduction of environmental impacts.
The zoning system applied by indigenous communities, where forest areas are divided based on levels of protection and utilisation, demonstrates an integrated approach to natural resource management that is adaptive to local conditions. With legal recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights, these practices can continue to be preserved and even be modelled in more modern environmental management policies.
By integrating cultural values, social norms and deep-rooted beliefs, Sundanese communities have managed to create a harmonious relationship with their environment, making nature a sacred entity worth preserving.
The local wisdom of the Sundanese people holds a rich tradition of sustainable practices that are aligned with the principles and goals of the SDGs. Recognising, preserving and learning from the traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable practices of indigenous peoples such as the Sundanese is critical to achieving global sustainability.
Greater collaboration between governments, researchers, and indigenous peoples is needed to integrate TEK into environmental policies and sustainable development initiatives. By adopting a more inclusive and holistic approach to sustainability that values and incorporates indigenous wisdom, a more resilient and equitable future for all can be realised.
Share this article
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on whatsapp
Whatsapp
