Editors of Journal of Environmental &Earth Sciences: Prof. Jin Shuanggen and Dr. Guo Jianping Named 2024 Highly Cited Chinese Researchers
2025-03-27
Indigenous Knowledge and Water Conservation Practices in South Africa: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors
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Arvind Kumar Sahani
Department of African Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Garima Gupta
Department of Environment Planning, School of Planning and Architecture Delhi, Delhi 110012, India.
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Subhash Anand
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Vishwa Raj Sharma
Department of Geography, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Rajender Singh
Department of Geography, Shivaji College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
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Azka Kamil
Department of Geography, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
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Harish Kumar
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Alka Gagan
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Vinod Kumar Mayala
Department of Economics, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
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Arun Pratap Mishra
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Sunil Jaiswal
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Jasmine Anand
Department of Applied Mathematics, Delhi Technological University, Delhi 110042, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i2.7988Abstract
Water scarcity poses a significant challenge globally, with South Africa exemplifying the severe socio-economic and environmental impacts of limited water access. Despite advances in modern water management systems, the integration of indigenous knowledge (IK) into formal frameworks remains underutilized. This study systematically reviews the role of indigenous water conservation practices in South Africa, analyzing over 50 high-quality sources using the PRISMA methodology. The findings highlight the effectiveness of IK in addressing water scarcity through techniques such as rainwater harvesting, terracing, and wetland management, which are low-cost, environmentally sustainable, and deeply rooted in cultural practices. Indigenous methods also enhance climate resilience by enabling communities to adapt to droughts and floods through practices such as weather prediction and adaptive farming techniques. Furthermore, these practices foster social inclusivity and community empowerment, ensuring equitable water access and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The study underscores the potential of integrating IK with modern water technologies to create holistic solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with South Africa’s goal of achieving water security by 2030. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for institutional support, data collection, and financial incentives to sustain and mainstream indigenous approaches. By bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary systems, this research provides a roadmap for leveraging diverse knowledge systems to address water scarcity and build resilient communities.
Keywords:
Water Scarcity; Indigenous Knowledge; Water Conservation; Climate Resilience; Sustainable Water Management; South AfricaReferences
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Sahani, A. K., Gupta, G., Anand, S., Sharma, V. R., Singh, R., Kamil, A., Kumar, H., Gagan, A., Mayala, V. K., Mishra, A. P., Jaiswal, S., & Anand, J. (2025). Indigenous Knowledge and Water Conservation Practices in South Africa: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(2), 248–261. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i2.7988
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Copyright © 2025 Arvind Kumar Sahani, Garima Gupta, Subhash Anand, Vishwa Raj Sharma, Rajender Singh, Azka Kamil, Harish Kumar, Alka Gagan, Vinod Kumar Mayala, Arun Pratap Mishra, Sunil Jaiswal, Jasmine Anand
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