Climate, Capital, and Tigers: Using insights from Traditional Ecological Knoweldge to understand complex social ecological ecoystems and common pool resource governance

Abstract (English)

The Ganges Delta is on the front line of climate change as sea levels rise, coasts erode, the deltaic environment faces salinity intrusion, and severe weather brings storm surges and high winds, and other weather anomalies. However, the Ganges Delta is also home to the Sundarbans, the worlds largest mangrove ecosystem. In the anthropocentric, these local and traditional peoples find themselves facing pressure from systems of global capital and climate change. However, they share a space with the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), which also faces pressure from expanding global capital and loss of lands due to climate change. Wildlife conflicts between people and tigers has always been a concern, but mutual marginalization and these increasing pressures are forcing people to make risky decisions and enter the tiger's woods. The Sundarbans is a complex social ecological system that offers critical insights into traditional ecological knowledge, common pool resource governance, and decision making processes. This paper takes an intersectional approach to the complex understandings and interactions with the region and ideas of non-human and more than human. Specifically, there is a variety of cultural norms and sacred practices that address how to enter the tiger's forest with respect. Bonbibi, the Lady of the Forest is a pivotal figure who is venerated across religions. Sometimes described as a Hindu Goddess or a Muslim Saint, she is a figure of great socio-ecological significance. This paper also talks about the insights we can glean from strict monotheistic approaches that re-enchant nature whether it is through the monotheistic values and the honoring of Bonbibi or through non-profit organizations that center on protecting the tiger. Work in the Sundarbans not only advances our awareness of the complexities of climate change, but of a conflict in values of how to understand and live with non-humans.