Analyzing Social Networks to Examine the Changing Governance Structure of Springsheds: A Case Study of Sikkim in the Indian Himalayas

• Published in: Environmental management (New York) Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 233 - 248
• Main Authors: Sen, Sudeshna Maya, Singh, Aprajita, Varma, Navarun, Sharma, Divya, Kansal, Arun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Case studies; Collaboration; Decision Making; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Environment; Environmental Management; Forestry Management; governance; Himalayan region; Hydroelectric power; India; Integrated approach; issues and policy; Knowledge management; Mapping; Natural resource management; Natural resources; Nature Conservation; planning; Policy Making; Sanitation; Sikkim; Social Networking; Social networks; Social organization; stakeholders; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; water power; Water springs; Sikkim; India; Himalaya Mountains; Himalayan region; Actors and relationships; Power dynamics in governance; Multi-stakeholder governance networks; Indian Himalayan Region; Sikkim
• ISSN: 0364-152X; 1432-1009; 1432-1009
• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-018-1128-0

The governance of natural resources now attracts greater participation of different stakeholders, ushering in a shift from conventional governance by the state to that by a network of stakeholders—a form of governance marked by a growing role of non-state and local actors. These changing dynamics are highlighted through a study of the governance network for springsheds in the Indian Himalayas by empirically mapping the changes in the Dhara Vikas Yojna , a plan or scheme ( yojana ) by the state for the development ( vikas ) of springs ( dhara ) in Sikkim, India, from policy planning to policy implementation. The study highlights the diverse existing and emerging roles of different stakeholders, the complex relationships between them, and the power dynamics that influence the management of springsheds. The study (1) identified some new but missing actors/actor groups that were critical to managing springs; (2) showed that although state governments continue to play a dominant role, decision making is shifting to non-state and local actors; and (3) highlighted the importance of exchanging knowledge and information in implementing a policy more effectively. Understanding the characteristics of the governance network helped in drawing lessons to make the plan more sustainable and replicable, which include considering the policy in the wider context of policies for other sectors such as sanitation and hydropower development, incentivising the emerging actors, and building a stronger interdisciplinary and inclusive knowledge network. Such an integrated approach to policymaking can also be adopted to analyze governance networks related to natural resources other than water.