Community governed rainwater harvesting systems of Mizoram is another unique feature of the state

 


Mizoram is in the northeastern part of India. The area is hilly and has a significant tribal population in the state. In Mizoram, the traditional water sources are the tuikhurs: the springs. The observations of the community were that due to deforestation, soil erosion, and shifting cultivation practices the water retention capacity of the soil has been reduced and many of these springs were drying up during the summer. Reduction and variation of the rainfall was observed since 2011.These variations can be attributed to climate change.

The village communities have installed rooftop rainwater harvesting in storage containers with attached taps, which are fixed on the surface through horizontal gutters from tin sheeted roofs of the houses in community halls, schools, and government offices. The installation of the rainwater containers was done with over 30% of the community contributions alongside the support of the government. The community attended to the operation and maintenance of the structures. In addition, water quality testing kits had been also provided to the villages. The harvested rainwater is equally shared households by community councils

These villagers suggest that the government should actively engage in sharing the lessons of Mizoram   indigenous local wisdom on rooftop rainwater harvesting specifically on community governance with other states officials and create a platform to exchange information and experiences of the rainwater harvesting and community governance practices from other states in India. This study was conducted in the villages of Muthi; Lungllengn; Sakwrtuichhun and Seling in the Aizwal district of Mizoram.

Extended abstract submitted to the SARNET Conference – “Looming Water Crisis and Climate Change in South Asia; Rainwater Harvesting as an Adaptation Strategy by Dr Vishnu Partheep Tej (A research scholar and University Grants Commission-Junior Research Fellow at the Department of Sociology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University India) and Dr.Polanki SivaRam,(A development researcher and a trainer, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad, India).

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