Changing Cultural Landscape of the Tons River Basin
Published in Social Sciences
The cultural landscape of the Tons River Basin of the Himalayan region is one of the most culturally diversified regions in the world with deep-rooted history, migration, settlement of different communities and it is shaping this landform over centuries . This dynamic cultural corridor situated between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan plateau has undergone several changes due to trade, movement of people creating distinctive cultural zones reflecting through vibrant fairs and festivals, rich oral traditions, different communities’ delectable cuisines, mythological belief systems which are widely practiced over this region with utmost enthusiasm. Within the broader Himalayan context, the Uttarakhand Himalaya is identified as pivotal juncture of archeological remnants, topographically modified by the rivers Alakananda, Bhagirathi, Yamuna, Tons, Ramganga and Sarayu and agrarian society which made it a culturally significant place from the past till today beckoning as ‘Dev Bhumi’, the land of Gods and Goddesses associated with riverine morphology and sacred cultural sites. The Tons River Basin is such evidence of cultural geomorphological region where precipitous slope, rugged terrain, river valleys of the Rupin and Supin rivers (tributaries of the Tons River), terraced agricultural fields, forest lands have shaped the land as distinctive yet colloquial Himalayan cultural den. Among the three sub cultural realms of Uttarakhand Kumaon, Garhwal and Jaunsar-Bawar and Rawain reign the Tons River Basin forms part of the Jaunsar-Bawar and Rawain sub cultural realm reflecting history and culture through each architectural structure, traditions, cultural practices. Local mythology echoed in every corner of this small riverine place where major rural settlements such as Purola, Mori, Hanol, Netwar, Gaichwan, Dharkot, Gangad, Osla (the very first village of the Tons River Basin) and Har ki Dun are the treasure house of regions’ temple history, folk deities and their present forms practiced during vibrant festivals.
Navigating through this place, interacting with the villagers, priests, elderly people, spending hours in informal chatting and formal interviews have given multiple insights regarding traditional livelihood practices and their role in cultural identity, cultural riches, folk deities, mythology and its impact on social and cultural landscape. Seasonal migration is the essential character of practicing traditional agriculture and livestock rearing. The temperate- cold climate and vast grazing lands profoundly support cultivation of coarse grains, temperate fruits, livestock products and selling them from farms to local markets. Interestingly customary customary rituals are closely interconnected, as cultivation and harvesting processes traditionally begin with offerings to local deities. Drawing references for Uttarakhand it is popularly known that important Hindu scripts and Mythological derivation like the Rigveda, Mahabharata, and the Skanda Puran, all have given sacred status to this state which in evidently reflects through cultural riches of the Tons Valley too. It’s a valley predominantly comprising the Hindu population consisting of various castes like Bhramins, Rajputs, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It’s a saying that the residents of this region are considered more ancient compared to those in other parts of Uttarakhand.
The Tons Basin Region due to its strong mythological reference exhibits exquisite diversity expressed through traditions, folklore, religious beliefs, festivals, and food practices closely shaped by the physical environment and sacred temple landscape dedicated to the Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu the Pandavas and the Kauravas. From social organization to cultural practices, the worship of deities in diverse forms is regarded as sacred and deeply integrated into the regional culture.
The presence of the Lord Shiva, considered as the guardian deity is felt in structural and non-structural form in every nook and corner of this Himalayan reign. Shiva resides here in Someshwar form, he is the chief of the villages, lives in a wood, stone carved temple and makes his annual appearance – Dev Avataran, with an annual journey in a palanquin to ensure the well-being, prosperity of this region’s inhabitants.
The evolution of the temple region, the Tons also comes from its mythological scripts. It is said ‘Tons’ come from ‘Tamas’(sorrow) River after Karna’s death his followers wept profusely and tears became ‘Tamas’. The people here worship the Pandavas and the Kauravas which is the unique sacred identity of this region which distinguishes this region from the rest of the country. However, Tons River Valley is popularly known for Mahasu Devta- as an incarnation of the Lord Shiva whose temple is located on the left bank of the Tons River in Hanol village. The journey to the temple and villages itself is an experience as the road passes through cedar trees, lush green meadows and steep agricultural fields. One can relish the regional cuisines like Mandu ki Roti, Chaulai ka Saag, Rajma and popular fermented drink made with millets while conduiting through these highlands and river valleys of this region.
For a longer time, Tons Valley was cut from the contemporary world and retained its unique rich cultural traditions and heritage. But in recent times even with minimal infrastructural development, connectivity and a shift in cultural practices have been noticed. For a recreational retreat, development of the transport system has contributed to the growth of cultural and adventurous tourism. As a significant amount of youth out migrated, women of the villages took charge in conserving cultural traditions and led to community-based tourism activities. Regardless of any changes Tons River Basin is maintaining its history, captivating natural beauty and mythological stories will continue to emulate through its oral traditions.
Follow the Topic
-
Discover Global Society
This is an interdisciplinary, international journal that welcomes research on the complexities of modern global society, its development and its challenges.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Climate Change and the Future of Society: Risks, Resilience, and Transformation
Climate change is the most significant anthropogenic challenges of the 21st century. The activities of mankind writ large are ramping up greenhouse gas emissions, land-use change and industrial activity. Global warming, severe weather, increased sea levels and biodiversity loss are the result of this. Long-term alterations in weather conditions is climate change. It also refers to the changes in climate patterns at regional levels on a global scale. The fast global warming process has started from pre-industrial era. Until the beginning of the 21st century, 1850 to 1900 was by a large margin. These days, the climate is mainly influenced by anthropogenic activities. Climate change and its manifestations are widely recognized as threat multipliers. It jeopardizes both the future global and regional peace and security. An urgent need exists to take climate change and the future of society seriously.
The future of society and climate change are the focus of this special issue, which examines critical levels of concern. Set of forward-looking scientific contribution in this special issue. They review the risks, resilience, and transformations associated with climate change for sustainable development and how they may impact the success of SDGs by the year 2030. The subject is quite relevant as climate action and sustainable development are interdependent, which is acknowledged in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. In order to mitigate climate risk to the SDGs, global action is needed on climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience building so that multiple benefits can also be realised which will enable us to achieve SDGs in a synergistic way. One example would be to move to renewable energy, which could both lower emissions and increase access to clean energy, thereby advancing progress on climate action and affordable clean energy. We can achieve progress on food security by managing the risks of climate impacts on sustainable development of agriculture and livestock models in the country. According to estimates, 80% of SDG targets can possibly be supported by climate mitigation actions.
Researchers world over are invited to contribute in computer science, environmental science, social sciences, economics, policy science, urban studies and allied fields. This Special Issue aims to provide novel contributions from a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives. The results will trigger new initiatives and contributions from researchers, practitioners and policy makers in the field. It will be produced a new way to model risks and formulating strategies to achieve co-benefits and synergies of low carbon development and sustainable development goals.
Potential themes and topics include, but are not limited to:
The special issue “Climate Change and the Future of Society: Risks, Resilience, and Transformations” has potential themes and topics that may include wide-ranging interdisciplinary thematic areas illustrating complex linkages between climate disruption and the UNSDGs by 2030 and beyond. They consist of:
Synergies and Trade-offs in Climate Action and SDG Achievement:
Climate action must deliver multiple SDGs for strengthening synergies and avoiding trade-offs. Illustration includes renewable energy transitions are compatible with low carbon growth (SDG 8), they also support affordable energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13) and energy access for the poor (SDG 1). Such a development must not cause costly trade-offs such as large scale bioenergy deployment competing with food security (SDG 2) or land use (SDG 15) among others.
Climate Risks and Vulnerabilities Impacting SDGs:
Climate change severely affects sustainable development practices. Food production and availability of water resources are impacted by warming and extreme weather events. Furthermore, an additional global threat to people’s health is climate change. In addition, climate change is affecting the pattern of disease in the world. The rise in temperature all around the globe is adversely impacting the ecosystem. Most significantly, the greatest impact of climate change has been seen on poor and vulnerable people.
Building Resilience through Integrated Approaches:
Examination of Nature-based Solutions, Ecosystem-based Adaptation, and Disaster Risk Reduction will occur. Research on how climate-resilient infrastructure affects one’s adaptive capacity (SDG 13.1), and strengthening social protection systems to reduce inequalities (SDG 10). Resilient communities can be supported by this NbS and EbA.
Transformative Pathways and Systemic Change:
Efforts to achieve fair low-carbon societies have led to significant changes in energy decarbonisation, sustainable industry, sustainable food, land and water, oceans, and digital revolutions for sustainability. The aim of this workshop is to discuss conceptualising and implementing the just transition through a gender and inequality lens.
Sectoral and Regional Case Studies:
Contributions on agriculture and food systems resilience (e.g., drought-tolerant crops, sustainable land management), water and soil resource management, renewable energy adoption, urban planning for climate-resilient cities, health-climate intersections (e.g., heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases), and biodiversity conservation amid changing climates.
Governance, Policy, and Finance for Synergistic Progress:
Analyzing enabling conditions like climate finance, policy coherence between the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda, loss and damage mechanisms, carbon border adjustments, and international cooperation to accelerate SDG-aligned resilience-building and equitable transformations.
Equity, Justice, and Intersectional Perspectives:
Addressing psychosocial dimensions, gender and intersectionality in adaptation, indigenous knowledge integration, and efforts to prevent climate change from exacerbating inequalities or reversing development gains.
These themes draw on emerging research trends, including renewable energy, ecosystem services protection, life cycle assessments, food security in vulnerable regions, policy synergies, and remote sensing applications, while inviting empirical, theoretical, and modeling-based studies to foster global collaboration and inform pathways toward a resilient, sustainable future.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Dec 20, 2026
Gender, Environment, and Sustainability: Bridging Gaps and Building Future
The pressing challenges of environmental degradation and climate change demand innovative solutions that are sustainable, inclusive, and equitable. Gender, as a critical dimension of social structure, shapes the vulnerabilities, experiences, and responses of communities worldwide facing environmental risks. Women play diverse and pivotal roles as leaders, decision-makers, resource managers, activists, and scientists in addressing ecological issues; yet, they continue to face barriers to access, participation, and recognition within environmental sectors.
This collection, "Gender, Environment, and Sustainability: Bridging Gaps and Building Future," explores the intersection of gender and the environment as a transformative lens for achieving sustainability and social justice. The collection welcomes contributions that examine how gender-based disparities influence environmental outcomes, how women’s empowerment enhances ecological stewardship, and how Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be advanced through gender-inclusive policies and practices. Submissions may cover topics such as gendered impacts of climate change, women’s leadership in environmental governance, gender mainstreaming in sustainability science, and case studies from diverse social, cultural, and geographical contexts.
By bringing together global perspectives, empirical analyses, and practical frameworks, this topical collection aims to foster rigorous research and constructive dialogue on the shared journey toward a more sustainable and equitable future for both genders. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from diverse backgrounds are invited to contribute their insights and innovations to bridge the gaps and build resilient pathways for future generations.
Keywords:Climate Action, Women’s Empowerment, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, Environmental Sustainability, Quality Education
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Oct 30, 2026
