Khasi communal stewardship sustains forest ecosystems in Meghalaya
Original framing: “Sacred groves, living laws: How Khasi traditions quietly protect Meghalaya’s forests” — bing news
The Khasi system integrates spiritual and ecological knowledge, treating forests as sacred and inalienable. This holistic worldview is rooted in centuries of lived experience and is increasingly recognized as a model for sustainable land use.
The Khasi system of forest stewardship is a living example of how indigenous knowledge can sustain ecological balance.
By examining the historical resilience of these systems, we see a model of governance that prioritizes community, spirituality, and long-term sustainability. Cross-culturally, similar systems offer valuable insights into alternative environmental paradigms. To preserve and scale these practices, legal recognition, intergenerational education, and policy collaboration are essential. The Khasi experience challenges the dominance of extractive models and offers a systemic blueprint for regenerative environmental governance.