Ecopreneurship and Sustainable Business Practices: Exploration through Literature of the Northeast

Abstract

Introduction: This paper explores the intersection of ecopreneurship and sustainable business practices through the lens of Northeast Indian literature. Northeast Indian literature skillfully intertwines themes of ecopreneurship and sustainable business practices, showcasing the area's vibrant cultural heritage and profound relationship with nature. Writers from this region frequently illustrate how traditional ways of life harmonize with ecological conservation, highlighting the significance of indigenous knowledge in fostering sustainable development.

Methodology: The study combines literary analysis with case studies and academic research. It examines how authors from the region integrate themes of environmental stewardship, traditional knowledge and community-driven entrepreneurship into their narratives, drawing on literary works by Easterine Kire, whose novel When the River Sleeps depicts characters whose lives are closely linked to nature, and Mamang Dai, whose book The Legends of Pensam illustrates the Adi tribe's balanced coexistence with nature. Academic sources examined include the paper “Sustainable Entrepreneurship in North-East India: Creating a ‘Blue Ocean’”, which explores opportunities in handicrafts, agriculture and handloom, and the research “Adoption of Green Marketing Strategies and Challenges in Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Study of North-East India”. Real-life green enterprises across the eight states are then analysed alongside these narratives.

Results & Discussion: Five ecopreneurial ventures rooted in tradition are documented: Zizira, founded in 2010 by Ralph Budelman in Meghalaya, which partners with local farmers to promote indigenous products such as Lakadong turmeric prized for its high curcumin levels; Hill Wild from Manipur, creating chocolates infused with local flavours; October Pumpkin, founded in 2019 by Rinchon Kashung and Aleks Vashum, merging Longpi black pottery with soy wax and supporting over 300 artisans; eco-friendly bamboo boats in Assam; and banana fibre cold storage units. Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, known as Asia's cleanest village, serves as a case study in community-driven tourism. Organisations documented include NESFAS, the Green Hub project, AASU and KMSS, alongside Chizami village in Nagaland and the constitutional protection of Article 371A. Four challenges to sustainable development are identified: ethnic diversity and social divisions, agricultural sustainability, biodiversity conservation versus development, and gender integration in development.

Conclusion: Although there may be a scarcity of literary works that exclusively address sustainable tourism and ecopreneurship in Northeast India, the cultural stories of the region frequently reflect sustainability principles. Folklore and traditional tales highlight the importance of living in harmony with nature, which is a fundamental aspect of sustainable tourism, and these stories lay the groundwork for modern literature that tackles the tourism sector's challenges and opportunities. The literary works from Northeast India reflect the region's commitment to sustainable business practices, encapsulating the spirit of eco-friendly tourism, organic agriculture and resilient entrepreneurship, imparting valuable lessons in ecological conservation and sustainable growth.