Traditional system of water management in watersheds of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Adi</i> tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is very rich in indigenous traditional knowledge in conserving natural resources. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Yetbung<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"> Lingang</span></i> and <i>Linkum </i>are such traditional water conservation structures made up of locally available stones/ boulders, bamboo and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">tokopata</i> and used to divert the perennial stream of the area for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Panikheti</i> and winter crop cultivation. The people of the watersheds of East Siang district have their traditional clarification for construction of these types of structures. Rainfall evaporation pattern of the study area also supports prolong crop growing season for widening arable land under the watershed. Scientific rationale of the study confirms the multifaceted advantages of such traditional practices.