Watershed Sustainability and Community Participation inside Jamuna Watershed of Assam, India

The Jamuna Watershed located in the hilly terrains of East Karbi Anglong and plains of Hojai districts in Assam, is a mosaic of diverse tribal and non-tribal communities, whose livelihoods are intimately tied with the local environment. This paper explores the intricate relationship between sustainability and the traditional practices of these communities, focusing on their relation with the riverine environment inside the watershed. This study narrates how indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices have contributed to the preservation of the riverine environment. The paper also examines the challenges faced by these communities due to external pressures such as deforestation, land degradation, expansion of settlements and built-up activities etc, which threaten their sustainable way of living. The findings highlight the resilience of these communities and their adaption to changing circumstances while maintaining the ecological balance. This study focuses on the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge into broader sustainability frameworks for a more inclusive approach to riverine environmental management and also contributes towards the broader field of sustainability and cultural preservation.