[18] LEGAL SAFEGUARDS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE KHASI HILLS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT COUNCIL’S ROLE IN CULTURAL CONTINUITY, LAND MANAGEMENT, CUSTOMARY LAW, AND POLICY REFORM

How to Cite the Article: Bameri Dondor Kharsohtun & Hiren Chandra Nath (2026). Legal Safeguards for Indigenous Peoples: An Analytical Study of The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council’s Role in Cultural Continuity, Land Management, Customary Law, And Policy Reform. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(5),204-219. https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i5.2026.204-219

Abstract

This study provides an overview of the legal safeguards for indigenous peoples by critically analyzing Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in Meghalaya, India. Protections of rights, culture and traditional governance are also very much enshrined in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, with the specific provisions of the Constitution establishing the most significant protection for the rights of Indigenous communities in Northeast India. The KHADC’s role to provide for the preservation of cultural continuity, to manage land and natural resources (land, rivers, and other natural resources), to uphold customary law, and to respond to policy reforms is the focus of this study. It emphasises the Council’s role of protecting the indigenous identity including traditional institutions, languages, festivals, and knowledge systems from contemporary problems of modernization, urbanization and globalization. The study delves further into the mechanisms of land tenure, conflict resolution, and environmental conservation, which were used in the KHADC, as well as the organization’s initiatives regarding socio-economic development and community participation. Particular focus would be on the intersection of customary and formal legal systems, empowerment of marginalized groups, and changing policy responses in response to demographic and social change. By virtue of using a qualitative approach, the findings of this study combine statutory analysis, case law and field insights to evaluate the sufficiency and inadequacy of the existing legislative mechanism. These findings highlight the need to strengthen indigenous institutions and call for legal and policy avenues of legal and policy change to improve protection and sustainable development. This study is attempting to add a footnote into the academic debate, as well as to inform policymakers that can work on the strengthening of indigenous rights and governance.