Customary Tenure and land management of the Khasi people in Meghalaya

[anjali]

The tribal communities of Meghalaya have a unique a nuanced way of managing their land resource. Thanks to the recognition of their customary laws under Schedule VI of the Indian Constitution, these communities enjoy a level of autonomy that’s not seen in many other parts of India. This legal framework doesn’t just acknowledge their traditional land use systems; it actively protects them, allowing for community governance of land and natural resources that’s deeply rooted in cultural and ecological practices.

Land is classified into different categories that reflect its use and importance within the community. There are two main types: Ri Raid (community land) and Ri Kynti (private land).

Ri Raid land is all about the community. It’s not just one big plot but is broken down into various subcategories depending on its use. There is land for village cultivation, areas reserved for priests, spaces for the ruling chiefs, and communal use areas. There’s even land that’s been donated or gifted, as well as wastelands that any citizen can use. This structure allows the Khasi society to manage their resources in a way that benefits everyone, ensuring that land is available for all the different needs of the community.
On the other hand, Ri Kynti land is privately held, but even this isn’t a one-size-fits-all category. Just like with Ri Raid, there are several subcategories here, too, each reflecting different types of private holdings. This diversity in land use practices shows just how complex and well-thought-out Khasi society’s approach to land management really is.

What’s fascinating about this system is how it embodies a landscape approach that’s deeply tied to the Khais peoples’ cultural and ecological practices. The Khasi people have been managing their land this way for generations, and it’s a system that’s designed to work with the environment, not against it. The land tenure arrangements in Khasi hills are about—a connection between people, land, and culture that’s been carefully maintained over centuries

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