The Role of Tribal and Dalit Women in Water Conservation: A Case Study of the Western Indian Trans-Himalayan Region

Water scarcity and environmental degradation are pressing contemporary issues, and the Himalayan regions are especially at risk. The Trans-Himalayas in particular face severe resource scarcity as water availability is totally dependent on the now dwindling supply of glacial meltwater. Women in the Spiti Valley in the Trans-Himalayan region are particularly exposed to these issues because they spend significant time collecting water and fodder for domestic animals and managing agricultural irrigation. As the primary caregivers and managers of households, women in this region face greater challenges in adapting to and mitigating resource scarcity. This study focuses on the role of Dalit and Tribal women in water conservation practices and how they contribute to grassroots resources. This study seeks to address two primary objectives: (1) to assess how climate-induced water scarcity exacerbates existing gender disparities by increasing women’s workload, and (2) to evaluate the extent of women’s participation and leadership in the conservation and maintenance of water resources. Through descriptive statistics and factor analysis, the research indicates that the water conservation practices of mahila mandals (women-led self-help and governance groups) contribute significantly through their traditional adaptive capacities. In addition, primary data collected from the field provide a brief picture that women are more exposed to water-related problems, and with institutional support, they are taking primary leadership in conservation practices that were traditionally dominated by men. The findings reveal that women, particularly those belonging to Dalit and Tribal communities, experience a disproportionately greater workload due to water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, dedicating substantial time to water-related tasks. Furthermore, the study underscores that women’s leadership in managing irrigation and governing community water resources has become essential despite limited formal recognition, with mahila mandals playing a critical role in local water conservation initiatives.