Executive Summary : | The increasing demand for resource production and extraction has led to the replacement of traditional rural activities with technological innovations, threatening the ecology, environment, social, and cultural sustainability of rural areas. To address this, India needs to prioritize the introduction of need-based appropriate technology and focus on climate smart villages. The concept of ecovillage, which aids in meeting self-reliant needs, is essential for rural India, as it largely consists of small farmers and marginal farmers. To achieve Sustainable Development Goals or accelerate economic growth, rural India needs to prioritize geographical and socio-cultural diversity. A conceptual framework methodological for developing solutions for sustainable rural development is proposed, integrating global modern knowledge and traditional knowledge with local actions. The project will involve research, field investigation, and development of working frameworks for climate smart villages. The project aims to develop typologies for rural areas, conduct socioeconomic/socioecological assessments, study resource availability and use, identify technological interventions, study traditional ecological knowledge, and find smart solutions to environmental and conservation problems in rural areas. |