Sustainable Water Resource Management through the Lens of Nature-Man-Spirit Complex: Insights into the Subak and Ruza Systems
Sanjoy Akoijam *
Department of Anthropology, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795003, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable resource use, etc are topics frequently discussed in the world today, owing to several issues like population explosion, resource scarcity and climate change. Throughout the world, different cultures have come up with their own ways of water resource management that have developed over hundreds of years. Such systems are often linked to the spiritual and community lives of the people concerned. Often, water is not viewed as a resource, but rather as a ‘gift’ that has to be shared equitably among the community and with other living beings. Such sustainable practices can be looked at through the lens of the concept of ‘Nature-Man-Spirit Complex’ that was propounded by the famed Indian Anthropologist LP. Vidyarthi. In this age of increasing water scarcity compounded by a growing feeling of individualism, it is pertinent for us to take lessons from traditional water management systems. The main objective for the study was to examine two traditional water resource management systems-the Subak system of Bali, Indonesia and the Ruza/Zabo system of Nagaland, India, through the lens of the ‘Nature-Man-Spirit’ Complex and their relevance in modern discussions concerning sustainability. The main study method was a narrative review of peer-reviewed papers, articles and book chapters from some major academic databases. Searches were made regarding the concept of Nature-Man-Spirit Complex and its applicability in understanding sustainable water resource management, alongside case studies of traditional water management systems from around the world. The Subak system represents a traditional irrigation management practice that significantly contributes to sustainable water resource management on the island of Bali. On the other hand, the Ruza/Zabo farming system is primarily practised by the Chakhesang Naga tribe of Kikruma village in the mountainous Indian state of Nagaland. It involves a holistic approach to land and water management- incorporating water harvesting, animal husbandry and paddy cultivation on terraced fields. The findings indicated that the Nature-Man-Spirit Complex can be effectively linked to sustainable water resource management. It offers a holistic framework that aligns well with sustainable water use by acknowledging that water is not just a resource but part of a larger interconnected system.
Keywords: Sustainable, nature-man-spirit complex, water, management, interconnected