This study documents the traditional governance system in the small village of Spiti valley, Kibber. The village headman is called the gatpo (or lambardar/nambardar officially), and plays a crucial role in village decision making from socio-cultural, economic, ecological and political dimensions to also sprtiatil. What makes Kibber a unique case is that the village itself has evolved a thorough decision making process and have designed the local village institutions to ensure direct forms of democracy. For this, the study also looked at the interface between the local/traditional and new/modern governance systems, viz. the gatpo/village customary institutions with the panchayat and local Administration. 

Through this documentation, we highlight key learnings on governance, democracy and autonomy specifically in Kibber but also relevant for our broader understanding of these concepts. Crucially, we ask: if the gatpo system continues to have relevance, what can be done to sustain it, clarify its role and strengthen its functioning? This study is a collaborative effort between Kalpavriksh and local partner organisation Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) along with the residents of Kibber. 

Read the full report here.