How Shillong Manages Water
A new study reveals how traditional village councils and clans shape water governance in Shillong, balancing commerce, community, and sustainability.
It seems that water, the very essence of life, is becoming quite the commodity in Shillong. And no, this isn’t some far-flung science fiction scenario where your morning cuppa comes with a surcharge for the precious liquid – it’s the reality painted by a new study on water governance in the hill city, recently published in the Journal of the World Water Council. The study, conducted by Bankerlang Kharmylliem and Ngamjahao Kipgen, offers a fascinating glimpse into how traditional village councils, or dorbar shnongs, alongside the clan system, are quietly but decisively shaping the city’s water distribution.
So, what’s the deal with water in Shillong? You might imagine a serene scene, where water flows freely from the hills, a communal treasure shared with everyone. However, it’s not all peace and harmony when it comes to quenching the city’s thirst. The reality, it seems, is a tale of two approaches: one rooted in tradition, the other in commerce.
In the heart of the city’s water woes, we find two clans – the Pyngrope clan of Nongrah and the Khyriem clan of Nongkhyriem – playing pivotal roles in the water saga. On the one hand, the Pyngropes are in the business of water, quite literally. These fine folks have taken it upon themselves to turn the city’s springs and bore wells into a profitable venture, selling water to households at what can only be described as “premium” rates. According to the study, the Pyngropes, with their vast landholdings and access to numerous water sources, have turned the taps into cash cows. The result? Well, it’s not exactly a level playing field. While some households sip from the spring of prosperity, others might find their wallets a bit lighter after each visit from the water vendor.
Now, before you start imagining a city where water is sold at the cost of a fine bottle of Chardonnay, let’s shift gears to the Khyriem clan, where things are looking a bit more community-centric. Despite holding a dominant status, the Khyriem clan adopts a more egalitarian approach, sharing water freely with the community. The distribution is managed by the local council, with only minimal charges. And, in an act of youthful inclusion, they’ve roped in unemployed youths to help with the distribution – a lovely touch of solidarity, if you ask me.
But it’s not all tea and crumpets when it comes to water in Shillong. The study sheds light on the darker side of water governance – the commodification of this life-giving resource. As the city grows, and with a somewhat patchy public water supply, private water vendors have emerged like mushrooms after a monsoon, selling water sourced from underground wells that are often owned by private individuals or clans. In areas like Demthring and Mawlai Mawdatbaki, unregulated extraction is becoming a serious concern, with bore well owners having free rein to over-extract without so much as a “by your leave.”
It’s not as if the village councils are sitting idly by, twiddling their thumbs while the city drowns in its own water woes. Some councils have tried to regulate bore well drilling, with varying degrees of success. The report notes that while a few councils have imposed bans on new bore wells, they were somewhat slow off the mark, with hundreds of them having been drilled before restrictions kicked in. Enforcement, it seems, is the big stumbling block. Without strong regulations, there’s little stopping well-heeled (pun intended) landowners from continuing their water extraction escapades.
The study’s conclusion? For water governance to be both equitable and sustainable in Shillong, a combination of top-down regulation and strengthened local institutions is key. And while the Pyngrope clan might continue to cash in on the city’s water, it’s clear that the Khyriem clan’s more community-based approach could serve as a valuable model. After all, nothing says “solidarity” quite like sharing a resource that everyone depends on.
The study also points to the rise of social power structures, where disparities between traditional institutions, formal authorities, and private entities influence who gets access to water. As Shillong continues to urbanise – with projections suggesting a 21.3% increase in urban population by 2036 – the question remains: can village councils, with their age-old wisdom, adapt to the pressures of modern urban life?
In conclusion, the study calls for a more nuanced approach to water governance in Shillong. One that balances the traditional role of village councils with a modern regulatory framework. Because, as we all know, when it comes to water, you can’t afford to let things get too dry.
What's Your Reaction?
