The Himalayan region, with its breathtaking landscapes and ecological sensitivity, is also a volatile and temperamental ecosystem. Rapidly changing global climate is impacting this geologically young region even more. Ridden with flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, cloudbursts, glacial retreat, and earthquakes, this “water tower of the world” shows the profound impacts of the Anthropocene.The signs are clear as we witness an increase in forest fires, pre-season flowering, drying water resources, rising average temperatures, and the growing unpredictability of traditional farming seasons.
Amidst this unfolding crisis, a quiet revolution is taking place in the Himalayan ranges. Once again, it is led by women, but empowered by technology and grounded in local wisdom. Women, the backbone of society for ages, have long been the harbingers of the socio-cultural fabric of communities that are part of this fragile ecosystem. They have created systems in sync with nature to sustain their presence in otherwise precarious environments for millennia.
As providers and resource managers, women have consistently navigated the changing weather and climatic patterns of the Himalayas, braving extremes and enduring disasters. From west to east, even as we observe cultural differences, there are stark similarities: women are farmers, forest gatherers, water managers, and caregivers. They manage their surroundings with the repository of generational knowledge within their communities, even before the advent of formal education systems. Although rapidly changing global conditions have made the Himalayas more fragile than many other vulnerable systems worldwide, women at the community level understand how to manage climate change and weather patterns. However, the intensity of change and the impact of disasters now present challenges that may require more than traditional wisdom. Women in the Himalayas face unique challenges, including dwindling natural resources, habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, unpredictable weather events, and the decline of traditional knowledge. To create truly resilient societies in the face of such overwhelming changes, these bravewomen urgently need technological assistance. The situation is pressing, and we must act swiftly.
Western science has recognised that mountain women have traditionally practised climate-resilient agriculture, water conservation, and forest management. What has changed in recent years is the increased scarcity of natural resources, habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, unpredictable weather events, and the erosion of traditional knowledge.
As an avid traveller, I have often had the opportunity to interact with women in the remote regions of Uttarakhand. It is concerning to realise that there is not only a massive gap in understanding and applying traditional knowledge systems, which have been crucial for community survival for generations, but also a lack of affordable and accessible technology.
Today, mobile phones are multifunctional devices capable of taking GPS locations, mapping, and providing early warning updates. These handheld devices are becoming increasingly reliable and robust. Many self-help groups that recognise the power of technology have already begun blending traditional knowledge with these innovations, creating safer and more resilient environments. It is awe-inspiring to see women assimilating technology while preserving their traditional values, becoming better prepared for disasters, creating sustainable livelihoods, and monitoring the environment. This convergence of tradition and technology is enabling resilient ecofeminist leaders to mobilise their communities and act.
Women in remote Himalayan villages are now using mobile apps for real-time weather alerts, disaster alerts, crop advisory services, and digital marketplaces for local produce. Self-help groups are adopting technology to manage solar lighting systems, biogas units, and even low-cost drone-based activities - fondly referred to as “drone didi.”
In most Himalayan states, several grassroots initiatives are helping women take on economically active roles as homestay managers, nature guides, “aapda sakhis” (disaster mitigation assistants), forest firefighters, cultivators of climate-resilient crops, and preservers of agro-biodiversity. They are using tech-enabled tools to stay informed, participate in timely action, and raise awareness about changing climate patterns and resilience strategies.
Traditional knowledge combined with appropriate technology, with proper support and guidance, can transform women in rural landscapes and the communities that bear the brunt of climate disturbances. Gender-inclusive technological initiatives for climate adaptation can significantly enhance the resilience of Himalayan communities. When all stakeholders - government, educational institutions, and civil society - share responsibility for developing gender-inclusive, technology-based programmes, only then can we bring about meaningful change. The government and communities have already begun to accept this challenge in the right spirit, acknowledging the grave danger if it is left unaddressed. Training hubs in rural areas that focus on digital literacy for women, with attention to climate and livelihood considerations, are being established. Women’s perspectives are increasingly being incorporated into state climate action plans and disaster response frameworks.
Women’s organisations at the grassroots level are gaining access to funds, tools, and knowledge networks. STEM education for girls in hill regions, with mentorship programmes, is being launched by government and private bodies to bridge the widening digital divide. Environmental stewardship has never been more significant than it is today. As we advance in quantum computing, nanotechnology, space innovations, and artificial intelligence, we will still require air, water, and soil to survive alongside the delicate fabric of other cohabitants.
Environmental innovation is imperative and must be integrated into our lives to ensure survival with dignity in this increasingly complex and volatile world. Educational institutions, particularly universities and technical colleges in the Himalayan belt, can play a transformative role by engaging students - especially women - in community-based technology initiatives, internships, and climate entrepreneurship programmes.
Climate change is real and a grave threat to the Himalayas. Every crisis comes with an opportunity. In this case, by technologically empowering women, we are not only enabling individual progress but also unlocking a powerful force for community resilience, ecological stewardship, and sustainable development. Women have coexisted with and adapted to the constantly fluctuating geoclimatic systems of the Himalayan range. They have established resilient communities as innovators, decision-makers, and protectors of the Himalayas. Today, they are also becoming victims of increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions. Their empowerment is not merely a matter of gender justice — it is essential for the survival and sustainability of the mountain ecosystem itself.
The writer is an educator, environmentalist, and advocate for gender rights. She works at the intersection of science education, women’s empowerment, and disaster resilience in the Indian Himalayan region; views are personal
