Decentralized institutions for sustainable water management: study of indigenous (Gond and Kohli) community-based organizations in Maharashtra, India

Abstract

New institutional structures for effective integration of Indigenous people and their knowledge in decision-making for sustainable water management are encouraged in the last decade. Community-based institutional structures are emerging all over India, in order to take control of their natural resources. This paper is based on the exploratory research undertaken across three case studies situated in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, namely Rajapur, Aashti and Mendha. The goal of this research is to study distinctive community organizations developed by the local community within the prescribed Indian and Maharashtra State Government structure and the extent of community engagement in the process of decision-making over water management. These case examples are of significance because of their attempts to revive traditional techniques, social capital development through learning process, and development of decentralized organizations that discourage any hierarchical structure, thereby ensuring equity. It also stresses the role of civil society bodies to provide coordinated support in the process.