Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Wancho tribe of Arunachal Pradesh has long relied on customary land and forest governance systems, rooted in clan‑based and village‑based tenure, for their subsistence livelihoods. Traditional practices such as jhum cultivation, hunting, and communal resource sharing have historically ensured ecological sustainability and social cohesion. However, the advent of modern state policies, particularly the Forest Rights Act (2006), alongside increasing development pressures like roads, mining, oil exploration, and infrastructure projects, has created tensions between customary systems and statutory law. This paper examines these dynamics through a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary sources (policy documents, scholarly literature, and official reports) with primary field research involving interviews and participatory observation in Wancho villages. Findings reveal gaps in statutory recognition of customary rights, emerging disputes over land and forest use, and the need for integrated governance frameworks that reconcile traditional and modern systems. The study emphasizes the importance of participatory decision-making, legal recognition of customary tenure, and sustainable resource management as essential for minimizing conflicts and preserving tribal livelihoods.
Author: Topha Manham
Language: English
Topic: Land Rights and Reforms
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7127044675