Keywords
Planetary Sustainability
Epistemological Justice
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
The planetary crisis—manifested through climatechange, biodiversity loss, and resource inequities—is deeply
rooted in dominant epistemologies that prioritize extractive,anthropocentric, and technocentric worldviews. Addressing these
crises requires transformative approaches to knowledgegovernance that bridge scientific research with Indigenous andlocal knowledge systems in ways that are holistic and action-oriented (Bhandari, 2023c; Bhandari, 2025c).
Several frameworks support meaningful integration of diverseknowledge systems. The co-production of knowledge framework emphasizes collaboration across epistemologies through joint problem definition, data collection, and solution development,
treating Indigenous Peoples and local communities as equal partners with recognized authority and long-term stewardship over ecosystems (Bhandari, 2023a; Folke et al., 2005). The Multiple Evidence Base (MEB) approach, promoted by IPBES, complements this by allowing Indigenous and local knowledge to coexist alongside scientific knowledge without requiring validation through scientific standards, thereby enriching the collective understanding of socio-ecological systems (Tengö et al., 2014; Norström et al., 2020).
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This research was funded by Renewable World Nepal. The authors express their sincere gratitude to Thakur Thapa, Manoj Prasad Ojha, Aarju Karki, Bhawana Dhungana, and the staff of the Kathmandu Office for their valuable support and cooperation throughout the study. We would also like to sincerely thank Mr. Manoj Ayer, Mr. Hari Bhadra Acharya, Mr. Manoj Ojha, and Mr. Binaya Jha for their supervision and support during the fieldwork. We are also deeply grateful to Warden Chandra Shekher Chaudhary and all the staff of SPNP, including the army personnel, for consistently ensuring our safety and well-being. Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire KAFCOL family for their continued support.
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