India, June 1 -- Long before climate conferences, carbon credits and biodiversity targets entered global vocabulary, communities in the hills of Meghalaya were already protecting forests with something far older - custom, belief and collective responsibility.

A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences found that centuries-old Khasi community institutions continue to play a crucial role in conserving forests, water sources and biodiversity across Meghalaya, even as mining, quarrying and commercial farming place growing pressure on fragile ecosystems.

The study, conducted by Bhogtoram Mawroh of the North East Society for Agroecology Support (NESFAS), offers a detailed look into how traditional Khasi governa...