Cultural Narratives for a Greener Tomorrow: Barindra’s Folk Literature and Environmental Sustainability Practices

Environmental sustainability has emerged as a pressing global concern, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change and ecological degradation, such as the Barind Tract of Bangladesh. While contemporary strategies often emphasize technological solutions, the integration of traditional environmental knowledge remains underexplored. This study addresses the gaps by investigating the role of folk literature—including proverbs, folktales, songs, and rituals—in shaping environmental awareness and sustainable practices. Employing an ethnographic methodology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local elders, focus group discussions, participant observations, and document analysis of folk narratives. The findings reveal that Barind’s oral traditions embed vital ecological knowledge related to water conservation, biodiversity protection, soil management, sustainable farming, and communal governance. Proverbs such as “Jal nai, dhoroni nai, bhuture dhora jabe na†(Without water, there is no agriculture, and without agriculture, there is no future) illustrate the deep connection between cultural values and ecological practices. Folktales of Banbibi and village councils emphasize the importance of respect for biodiversity and community-led resource management, while songs and agricultural rituals reinforce ecological responsibility. By bridging indigenous knowledge with contemporary environmental challenges, this research demonstrates the potential of folk literature to inform sustainable development policies and cultivate environmental stewardship. The study emphasizes the significance of revitalizing cultural narratives as a means to achieve ecological sustainability, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications for integrating traditional wisdom into contemporary frameworks.