Heritage that Hydrates: Analyzing the Hitis of Nepal through the Lens of Urban Political Ecology

Funding disclosure: Mount Holyoke College Lynk Funding

Abstract

Water management systems have been integral to human settlements throughout history. This study investigates the hitis, the indigenous water infrastructure of Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, exploring the historical significance of these systems and their potential for addressing contemporary challenges in sustainable water resource management. Through a three-month period of intensive fieldwork, the study engaged local communities and experts to gain insights into the socio-cultural dimensions of water conservation. The interdisciplinary approach combined historical analysis with field observations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the indigenous water infrastructure's past, present, and future prospects. Key findings highlight the critical role these ancient systems have played in the valley's water management for centuries. The research suggests potential avenues for restoring and utilizing these structures to address modern sustainability challenges, while acknowledging the complexities involved in urban water governance. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on environmental sustainability and urban water management, offering insights that may influence future research and policy decisions in the field. Furthermore, it raises questions about effective adaptive management strategies that can be implemented to preserve the socio-ecological integrity of Kathmandu's hiti system in the face of rapid urbanization, climate change, and shifting cultural paradigms.