A Jurisprudence of Place: The Potential of Indigenous Legal Traditions to Transform Environmental Law
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37591/njel.v8i2.1908Keywords:
Environmental Law, Indigenous Law, Jurisprudence of Place, India, Tribal Rights, Ecological Governance, Legal Pluralism, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Forest Rights ActAbstract
Modern environmental law, predominantly shaped by Western legal traditions, often operates on universalistic, abstract, and anthropocentric principles, proving increasingly inadequate in addressing complex ecological crises. This article argues for a transformative paradigm shift towards a "jurisprudence of place," a concept deeply embedded in indigenous legal traditions where law is intrinsically linked to the specific land, its history, and its intricate ecological relationships. Drawing extensively on the Indian context, the paper explores how indigenous jurisprudence offers a more holistic, relational, and effective model for environmental governance by prioritizing duties over abstract rights, recognizing profound ecological interconnectedness, and fostering a deep, inherent sense of stewardship. It critically examines the historical and ongoing disconnect between state
environmental law and tribal legal systems in India, highlighting the limitations of current legal frameworks. The article concludes by asserting that a genuine, substantive integration of indigenous legal concepts and governance mechanisms into state environmental law is not merely a matter of social justice and human rights, but a critical and urgent imperative for achieving sustainable ecological outcomes and fostering true environmental reconciliation.
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