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<p>This study examines the role of indigenous institutions in managing water resources in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, a rain-rich region paradoxically facing water scarcity challenges. Despite being India’s wettest state, Meghalaya struggles with water provision, accessibility, and quality due to population growth, environmental degradation, and infrastructure challenges. The research focuses on village councils (dorbar shnongs) across three localities—Lawjynriew, Nongkhyriem, and Madanrting—each demonstrating distinct governance models: polycentric, cooperative, and devolved governance, respectively. These traditional institutions operate alongside formal water providers like the Public Health Engineering Department and Shillong Municipal Board, creating a complex governance landscape. The study reveals how these councils effectively manage common-pool water resources through community-based approaches that leverage traditional knowledge and practices. Despite urbanization pressures, including privatization of land, declining participation, and aging infrastructure, these institutions demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability. The research identifies promising strategies for enhancing water security, including groundwater utilization through small supply networks, rainwater harvesting implementation, and strengthening collaboration between formal and traditional institutions. The study finds that traditional village councils continue to play a central role in governing water as a shared resource in urban and peri-urban Shillong, despite significant environmental and institutional pressures. By recognizing water as a commons and viewing these systems through a social lens rather than merely as resources, the study provides insights into sustainable urban water management. This approach, which balances traditional ecological knowledge with modern management techniques, offers valuable lessons for addressing water security challenges in rapidly urbanizing environments across similar contexts globally.</p>

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Securing Shillong’s water future: the role of indigenous institutions

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月13日

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  • Bankerlang Kharmylliem

摘要

This study examines the role of indigenous institutions in managing water resources in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, a rain-rich region paradoxically facing water scarcity challenges. Despite being India’s wettest state, Meghalaya struggles with water provision, accessibility, and quality due to population growth, environmental degradation, and infrastructure challenges. The research focuses on village councils (dorbar shnongs) across three localities—Lawjynriew, Nongkhyriem, and Madanrting—each demonstrating distinct governance models: polycentric, cooperative, and devolved governance, respectively. These traditional institutions operate alongside formal water providers like the Public Health Engineering Department and Shillong Municipal Board, creating a complex governance landscape. The study reveals how these councils effectively manage common-pool water resources through community-based approaches that leverage traditional knowledge and practices. Despite urbanization pressures, including privatization of land, declining participation, and aging infrastructure, these institutions demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability. The research identifies promising strategies for enhancing water security, including groundwater utilization through small supply networks, rainwater harvesting implementation, and strengthening collaboration between formal and traditional institutions. The study finds that traditional village councils continue to play a central role in governing water as a shared resource in urban and peri-urban Shillong, despite significant environmental and institutional pressures. By recognizing water as a commons and viewing these systems through a social lens rather than merely as resources, the study provides insights into sustainable urban water management. This approach, which balances traditional ecological knowledge with modern management techniques, offers valuable lessons for addressing water security challenges in rapidly urbanizing environments across similar contexts globally.