Bridging Tradition and Adaptation: The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Enhancing Water Resilience amidst Climate Change in District Karak, Pakistan

Abstract

The main objective of this research study is to assess the association of indigenous knowledge in climate change resilient water management. The research is carried out in three union council of district karak i.e., village councils (VCs) Sabar Abad, Toor march and Kabir Kally. Out of the total population of 1324 framers a sample size of 302 framers was proportionally allocated to each VC and selected through random sampling technique. Data was collected through interview schedule. The conceptual framework of the study consisted of one independent variable (indigenous knowledge) and one is dependent variable (climate change resilient water management). The variables were measured on three levels Likert Scale. Chi-square test was applied at the bi-variate level to ascertain the association among these study variables. Climate change resilient water management exhibited a highly significance association with the knowledge of the local wild plant that determines the suitability of land for cultivation (P=0.007), the knowledge of the local wild animals and insects (P=0.000), traditional knowledge to predict weather pattern, rainfall and dry spells (P=0.030), and traditional knowledge to conserve water in soil after irrigation (P=0.004). Documenting functional indigenous knowledge, development of targeted educational programs on climate change resilient agricultural practices, ensuring active participation of all farmers in community meetings, and investing in existing water storage and innovative irrigation infrastructure, were some of the policy recommendations in light of study findings.