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The rise in the interest in addressing the issues relating to degeneration of natural resources and the efforts needed to conserve them by the policy makers, academia and the civil society are the expressions of an understanding of the increasing interdependence between people and the nature. This paper is based on the belief that more than the natural disasters produced by ecological degradations, it is the manner in which they impact the different categories of human population in its ethnic, gender, economic and cultural dimensions that deserves serious attention today. For example, scholars like Murray Bookchin, began to highlight that the present crisis in environment is because of the hierarchical organisation of power or hegemony and authoritarianism which are deep rooted in the social system. He explained that the human destiny is dependent upon the nature. But the gender aspects of social ecology has been largely ignored by such strong advocates. This aspect in a social set up generally transcends the ethnic, class, regional and political boundaries in their interconnection with the environment and in the context of its changing profiles. This paper also discusses how feminist scholars have tried to see social ecology with the perspectives of the principles of feminism and subaltern ideology. The interlinkages between social ecology, gender and development are increasingly inviting the attention of academics and civil societies having some policy importance, especially in the context of the developing societies like India. This paper delves into the attention paid to gender concerns in development in their links with issues of environment. Conceptual framework for studying the inter-relationship is discussed to understand the intricacies of women’s interaction with nature against a patriarchal and traditional set-up. It also tries to identify some gaps and inadequacies in knowledge and approaches in understanding the issues and challenges ahead.
Keywords: Social Ecology, Gender, Development, Interdependence, Concepts.

The paper illustrates the role of ritual specialists Jh?kri (shamans), Bhusal and Wapa of Mangar community in safeguarding the oral tradition among Mangars. Bhusal and Wapa were recognised as priest whereas Jh?kri served as a faithhealer though their role as specialists of ritual differs with each other. The role of Jh?kri found in both the areas i.e., Sikkim and Nepal however the terms Bhusal and Wapa are significantly different. Bhusal holds the oral tradition at the same time presents the changes in the certain aspects of ritual through his ritualistic steps like read the verses from text written in Akkharik? (Mangar script) and practices Buddhism simultaneously is an informal training, a person’s intuition and desirability to serve in the community push forward him in becoming Bhusal. Wapa is institutionalized body learn the Buddhistic way of ritualistic process from the Buddhist institution. Conversely Jh?kri acquire mystic knowledge, its verbal and memorise it. These three ritual specialists reserved their own dignified space within the community on basis of their knowledge and practices. The article critically analyzes the role of these three specialists in safegaurding and promoting the oral tradition among Mangars.
Keywords: Ritual Specialist, Buddhism, Tradition, Textualisation, Institutionalisation.

Previous researches have emphasized on potential contribution of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (hereafter, TEK) to cope with challenges from global environmental changes. This research studies the contribution of TEK in building long-term practices of swidden cultivation. Here, the research discusses (1) the knowledge, belief, practices, culture and ideas that Dongria Kondh apply to continue their swidden cultivation from the past to till date. Hence, the result shows (2) how the traditional swidden cultivation helped Dongria Kondh for their subsistence in the past; while it has also helped the same community for their sustainable development and economic welfare as well. However, the article shows the transformation of a subsistence farming system into a sustainable economic agriculture, though the traditional steps of the farming system have remained unchanged.
Keywords: Swidden Cultivation, Dongria Kondh, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Subsistence Farming System, Sustainable Development.

Ratauli is the main event to analyze the construction of sexuality of women paradoxically and through Ratauli social order is maintained in Hindu orthodox society where society's paradoxical, sexual construction is identified which is the main theme of this research article. The contradictions between the myths about gender and real experiences are also over looked and tried to analyze the situation experienced by women in terms of sexuality in Nepalese society. To understand the socio-cultural settings, situations and status of gender, power relationships within and outside the family are the fundamental factors for the determining factors for role, characters, and personality of women in physical as well as socio-cultural sphere in particular society and culture. Despite the construction of sexuality of women, specifically, the power relation binds the society and culture to maintain the harmony and social order among women are also studied.
Keywords: Ratauli, Women's Sexuality, Wedding Ritual, Patriarchy, Hindu.

The eco-spatial shift through migration amongst the tribal communities over the years has caused alternations in health care practices, in which indigenous knowledge-based healing tradition has continuously undergone production-discontinuity-reproduction over time and space in different environmental conditions. The present study is an empirical one, representing the changing pattern of health care practices amongst the Santal migrants who have relocated themselves from the Susunia hill and its surroundings of Bankura district to the Mousuni Island in Sundarban delta region of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in India. The study exhibits a declining trend in ethnomedicinal practices amongst the Santal migrants in an altered environmental setting.
Keywords: Santal, Tradition, Migration, Ecology, Environment, Healing, Ethnomedicine.

Women empowerment is essential for role of women in decision-making at household and community level as the patriarchal structure of our society has led to gender inequalities, with females being deprived of their rights and autonomy to have a say regarding their development and decisions related to their families. The objectives of this paper are to examine the decision-making role of village women and the extent to which it is affected by their socio-economic status. The study was carried out in the field area by using purposive sampling method. It is based on primary data collected from the females of each household, regarding various parameters of socio-economic status and decision-making role, through non-participant observation, schedule and interviews. The decisions regarding minor economic matters, like daily family expenses are taken by the women themselves. 51 percent of females are employed of which 59 percent contribute to half of the family’s income. 91 percent of females do not have ownership rights. The women have high decision-making role at household but not at the village level. Factors like education, age, marital status, ownership rights, and contribution to the household economy have impacts on their decision-making power.
Keywords: Decision-making, Education, Gender Equality, Rural Women, Socio-Economic Status, Women Empowerment.