India, Aug. 3 -- Long before satellites, meteorological models or groundwater monitoring networks, farmers, pastoralists, forest dwellers and indigenous communities learned to observe subtle changes in plants, animals, soils and seasonal cycles and interpreted in their own tongue. These observations evolved into a rich body of traditional ecological knowledge, shared through proverbs and sayings, through which communities attempt to anticipate droughts, floods, pest outbreaks and other environmental disruptions.

"Jamun phale aghaay, paani rahe ghataay"

(When jamun yields abundantly, water levels will decline)

In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, jamun (Syzygium cumini) trees serve as an ecological indicator of local water conditions. The tree h...