Exploring indigenous wisdom of the Northeast

When Barasha Das set about on reporting on an indigenous water harvesting system, the tricky terrains of Northeast India posed a unique challenge. While the story she captured is rich with insights and discoveries, the path to uncovering it was no ordinary adventure.

Barasha alongwith videographer Surajit Sharma travelled to Kikruma, a rainshadow village in Nagaland’s Phek district. They were on a quest to uncover the secrets of a century-old water harvesting system called Ruza.

"Travelling in the Northeast during the monsoon can be dangerous. First, there were no proper roads to reach Phek beyond Kohima. The highway from Kohima to Phek is under construction, filled with slippery red soil; travelling through that was not a possibility." - Barasha Das , Contributing Writer

Reporting on a century-old water harvesting system

Barasha hails from the fertile lands of Assam, where the paradox of abundant rainfall and inadequate irrigation persists. It was while researching along these lines, including topics like the ‘impact of climate change’ and other environment-related issues that a friend mentioned to her about Ruza cultivation practised by villagers in Kikruma.

"Living by the riverside, the tribe migrated to the mountains as their population expanded, and having faced water scarcity they developed a system to harvest rainwater. Isn’t it genius?"

The commitment of this village to preserve and enhance their indigenous agricultural knowledge, despite the influences?of modern technology, piqued her?interest.?Recognizing the potential applicability of the Ruza system in similar terrains across India, Barasha?was compelled to share their story.

Understanding Ruza and working with the community

Ruza uses gravity-based irrigation by impounding run-off water in higher elevation ponds connected to lower fields via narrow drains.?A communal water-sharing system, Ruza supports?integrated farming practices including forestry, horticulture, agriculture, fishery, and animal husbandry.

Working alongside the farmers in the field, understanding the Ruza system, Barasha witnessed the?communal spirit that defines this farming community.?

"All the people working in the field were not full-time farmers. There were students, and professionals who stayed elsewhere but would make sure to return to Kikruma during the sowing and harvesting season. This way they remained connected to their roots.

Documenting indigenous knowledge

Like Nagaland's Ruza, Northeast India has a rich repository of indigenous techniques that needs to be documented. nabarun guha , who has reported extensively on Assam and Northeast says that?coverage on community led initiatives for conservation can be improved by spending more time with the communities and winning their trust.

"As the communities might come up with many unique conservation techniques, it is important to fully understand the initiative before writing on it." - Nabarun Guha, Contributing Writer.

To understand these indigenous systems better, Barasha recommends spending more than a couple of days with the community. This approach can help journalists gain deeper insights into their way of life and the unique conservation practices they uphold.?

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Learn more about the ecologically and culturally diverse Eastern Himalayas in Northeast India, and how communities have come together for conservation, here.

In the next edition of Mongabay-India Specials we look at how invasive species are altering India's ecosystem and posing a challenge to native flaura and fauna.?

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