Village councils, social capital and sustainability: a study of urban water management of Shillong in Meghalaya, India

ABSTRACT This study examines water governance in Shillong, India, focusing on the role of traditional institutions called dorbar shnongs (village councils) in managing water resources. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews and narrative analysis, the study investigates how these councils interact with clan systems, groundwater management, and broader water distribution challenges in an urban context. The findings reveal significant variations in water governance across different localities, with some councils successfully implementing communal resource management while others struggle with commercialization and inequitable distribution. The research highlights how clan systems significantly influence water access and management, particularly through their control of springs and borewells. While some clans adopt profit-driven approaches, others maintain traditional communal sharing practices. The study demonstrates that effective water governance through village councils depends on strong leadership, transparent rules, inclusive decision-making, and robust enforcement mechanisms. However, these institutions face mounting challenges from urbanization, cultural erosion, and other significant factors. The research concludes that while village councils show promise as effective water management institutions in urban settings, their success requires balancing traditional practices with modern governance approaches and addressing locality-specific challenges through customized solutions.