ABSTRACT
Indigenous communities have long relied on their understanding of local ecosystems for sustenance and cultural preservation. However, rapid environmental changes and globalisation threaten their traditional livelihoods and knowledge systems. This chapter investigates the Keystone Foundation's model in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which addresses these challenges by advocating for resource rights, community-based conservation, and value addition. By integrating traditional and modern skills using a case study approach, the study demonstrates how this comprehensive approach has led to income diversification, enhancing economic opportunities, building climate resilience, and preserving the cultural heritage of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The findings suggest that policymakers and development practitioners should integrate modern skills with Indigenous wisdom and traditional ecological knowledge in conservation and livelihood initiatives. This can help create a framework that balances economic growth, environmental protection, and cultural preservation.
