Abstract: Sustainable development has emerged as an essential framework for achieving balanced economic growth, environmental conservation, and social equity. Tribal women, particularly those belonging to indigenous communities, play a fundamental role in maintaining this balance through their active participation in agriculture, forest resource management, household economy, and community development. This study examines the role of Gond and Kawar tribal women in promoting sustainable development in the rural regions of Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh. Using a comparative geographical approach, the research analyses their socio-economic conditions, livelihood strategies, indigenous knowledge systems, and participation in rural development programmes. Both primary and secondary data have been utilized for the study. Primary data were collected through household surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations conducted in selected villages, while secondary information was obtained from government reports, Census publications, and academic literature. The findings reveal that tribal women make substantial contributions to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, food security, livestock management, and household income generation. Their traditional ecological knowledge supports sustainable utilization of forest resources and enhances community resilience against environmental challenges. However, limited educational opportunities, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor access to institutional finance, gender inequality, and climate-related vulnerabilities continue to restrict their full participation in development processes. The study emphasizes the need for policy interventions that strengthen women's education, livelihood diversification, institutional support, market accessibility, and participation in local governance. Integrating indigenous knowledge with modern rural development strategies can significantly contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in tribal regions.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, Tribal Women, Gond Tribe, Kawar Tribe, Indigenous Knowledge, Rural Development, Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh, Geographical Analysis.