Uncovering the silences: Environmental knowledges in the floodplains of Yamuna, Delhi

Actions to control nature and people often involve the centralisation of knowledge and erasure of different and opposing views. This way, a singular ordered and homogenous nature takes the place of a highly complex and multidimensional one, hiding all historical, cultural, and regional issues. As a result, the understanding of nature needs to break the silo of the environmental and be understood as a complex assemblage of emotions, worldviews, knowledges, practices, and processes. Ethnography then becomes epistemologically important to the investigation of crucial aspects of the continuous reproduction of ecologies. Here the situated local actors are viewed as knowledgeable; not limiting the focus to a single dimension makes the ontology rich and complex. These field notes represent a qualitative methodology, making use of methods such as semi-structured conversations and exploring different landscapes with the actors. I examine how a government employee and a land-claiming farmer describe their surroundings and their role while situating themselves within the larger socio-political structures. Using field notes makes it possible to share a microscopic view of the larger picture. The intention is not to romanticise the knowledges of farmers as a key to bringing equitable outcomes; rather, the intention is to untangle the complex socio-ecological reality of the Yamuna floodplains in Delhi.