Local ('indigenous') knowledge and conventional ('modern') science are both limited in their abilities to mitigate soil erosion hazard in the Himalaya. While each system's terminology for erosion results from distinct perceptions of the environment, each responds differently to hazard. Local knowledge primarily responds over the long term and over areas beyond the actual site of soil loss. In a complementary manner, conventional science emphasizes erosion control in the short term and on-site. A case study from the Shivalik Hills in India is used to demonstrate these complementarities. The local dialect contains a detailed lexicon for landforms, soils, hydrology, and erosion, suggesting that environmental processes are understood. In the local approach to erosion, land use is altered to maintain biomass productivity. Thus, tenure and management issues are important. Conventional science seeks to reduce downstream sedimentation by controlling erosion through structural and vegetative techniques which are implemented for short-term results and are largely confined to the site of soil loss. In the Shivaliks, local approaches (intensification of agriculture through irrigation on stable lands and grazing control on erodible lands) are complemented by conventional techniques (sediment traps, earthen dams and planting trees and grasses). In the process, productivity has increased and sedimentation has been reduced.