Nepal’s Traditional Kailash Knowledge System Highlighted as Vital for Sustainable Education

The Kailash Knowledge System is a key part of the ecological and cultural fabric of the people living in Nepal’s Kailash Sacred Landscape. This age-old knowledge system has emerged from the region’s rich biodiversity and includes green agricultural methods, traditional medicine, and conservation practices that have been passed down through generations. Its integrated view of resource management and deep reverence for Mother Nature has contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation and ecological balance in the region.

However, the knowledge system is mainly transmitted orally, making it difficult to document and preserve, particularly in an era of rapid industrialization and globalization. Bist notes that incorporating the Kailash Knowledge System into Nepal’s modern education system is a practical approach to preserving and reviving this valuable knowledge. By adopting sustainable practices and integrating traditional customs into formal curricula, students can gain a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage and environmental responsibility.

Despite its benefits, the Kailash Knowledge System requires scientific evidence for wider adoption and application. Challenges such as the lack of organized records, limited community support, and insufficient government policies hinder its preservation. Addressing these issues is essential to keeping the knowledge alive for future generations and improving education while safeguarding cultural traditions.

Integrating the Kailash Knowledge System into the current education framework can enhance the overall value of the education sector by incorporating indigenous knowledge. This integration can be achieved through a multidimensional approach. Traditional farming and healing methods can be reformed by adding new lessons, while nature-friendly practices can be introduced into subjects such as social studies, science, and environmental education.

Teacher training programs play a crucial role in this process. Teachers must be properly trained to understand the Kailash Knowledge System so they can effectively transfer this knowledge to students. Additional learning methods such as workshops, guest lectures by local knowledge holders, field visits to the Kailash region, and community engagement programs can provide students with experiential learning opportunities.

The documentation and preservation of the Kailash Knowledge System can be strengthened by establishing resource centers and digital collections within schools. Collaboration between government agencies and organizations, along with regular monitoring and feedback, can further improve implementation. These efforts help protect cultural traditions while teaching students environmentally responsible practices.

Bist also points out that the present education system faces both benefits and challenges in adopting the Kailash Knowledge System. Globalization and modernization have significantly changed Himalayan regions, leading to the gradual disappearance of traditional beliefs and customs. Modern technologies and education systems often overshadow traditional knowledge, resulting in reduced interest among youth, particularly those drawn to urban lifestyles.

The decline in intergenerational knowledge transfer has contributed to the reduction of traditional practices. Teaching students eco-friendly traditional knowledge from the Kailash Knowledge System can promote cultural respect and environmental care. Combining traditional ecological knowledge with formal education enhances learning experiences and supports sustainable practices related to farming, medicinal plants, and nature conservation.

One of the major challenges remains the documentation of oral traditions and achieving scientific validation for traditional practices to ensure their wider acceptance in formal education systems. In an era of increasing modernism, Bist stresses the importance of collective efforts by communities, educators, and policymakers to conserve traditional knowledge. Collaborative action can help establish a more inclusive, culturally grounded, and sustainable education system.

(Nar Bahadur Bist is a MPhil scholar at Kathmandu University)