Advances in Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection: Chapter Two - Indigenous water resource management systems of the Apatani tribe

Water resource management is vital for maintaining ecological balance, particularly in fragile, resource-dependent, and climate-sensitive regions. Indigenous systems have garnered increasing attention for their potential to support sustainable and adaptive water usage. This chapter explores the traditional water management practices of the Apatani tribe in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India, and their relevance for addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Key indigenous practices documented in this study include the paddy-cum-fish cultivation system (Aji-ngyii), bamboo irrigation networks (Borang), gravity-fed water channels (Bogo), water harvesting structures (Dlong), and community-based governance (Bulyang). Field surveys conducted in eight representative villages demonstrated that these systems exhibit notable climate resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation strategies that optimize water use while maintaining ecological balance. The study found that Apatani practices effectively integrate agro-hydrological systems, utilize low-carbon, nature-based infrastructure, incorporate ecosystem-based field designs, and foster adaptive community governance, contributing to water security, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation. Despite the mounting pressures of modernization, population growth, and climate change, the Apatani system offers valuable insights into sustainable water governance in the Himalayas. This study bridges traditional ecological knowledge with modern solutions, offering a replicable framework for climate-resilient water management in other ecologically vulnerable regions.