Traditional socio-cultural practices in Himalayan food systems for climate adaptation

Introduction Indigenous mountain communities in the Western Himalaya are facing climate change, socio-economic transitions, and out-migration pressures. This study investigates how these communities sustain resilience and food sovereignty through traditional food-systems knowledge. Methods A mixed-methods ethnographic approach was employed, combining participant observation with literature synthesis. Fieldwork focused on documenting food practices, ecological knowledge, and adaptive strategies embedded in daily subsistence and cultural traditions. Results Four key adaptive practices were identified: wild plant usage, fermentation, food preservation, and agroforestry. These practices contribute to community-level food security, nutritional diversity, and the retention of cultural identity. Despite external pressures, traditional food systems remain locally rooted and ecologically adaptive. Discussion While traditional practices offer resilience, increasing reliance on market-driven agriculture and the decline of native crops are eroding indigenous ecological knowledge and undermining food sovereignty. To counter these trends, the study proposes actionable strategies for climate adaptation and sustainability that center on the conservation of traditional food systems at community, institutional, and policy levels.