Role of Tribal Women in Biodiversity Conservation in North East India with Special Reference to Assam: An Eco-Feminist Approach

Abstract

This paper attempts to explore the critical yet often overlooked role of tribal women in biodiversity conservation in North East India, with a specific focus on Assam. Drawing upon an eco-feminist framework, the study highlights how the intersection of gender, ecology, and indigenous identity shapes environmental practices in tribal communities such as the Mishing, Bodo, and Karbi. These women are deeply embedded in the stewardship of local ecosystems, engaging in sustainable practices such as wetland management, agroforestry, seed preservation, and the protection of sacred groves. Their knowledge is transmitted through oral traditions, songs, rituals, and hands-on labor, forming a living body of ecological wisdom. Despite their significant contributions, tribal women remain largely invisible in state-led conservation efforts and environmental policy-making. Modern development, deforestation, displacement, and climate change continue to threaten both biodiversity and the socio-cultural systems that sustain it. Additionally, the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge among younger generations poses a serious challenge to long-term conservation. By using secondary sources, ethnographic literature, and a thematic analysis grounded in eco-feminist theory, this study argues for the urgent need to recognize and integrate the roles of tribal women into formal conservation frameworks. It advocates for community-led, gender-inclusive, and culturally sensitive environmental governance models. Ultimately, this research positions tribal women not merely as resource users but as custodians of biodiversity and agents of ecological resilience in Assam’s diverse landscapes.