Transformations of water governance and social authority in the Hani Rice Terraces

Sustainable governance of the UNESCO-listed Honghe Hani Rice Terraces hinges on integrating historical coordination rules with modern policy design, rather than reverting to traditional systems. The study reveals strong institutional continuity in water management and social authority across political regimes—from native chieftaincy to contemporary household responsibility systems—which has underpinned the terraces' resilience for centuries. While recent restoration efforts have improved biophysical conditions, fragmentation of social organizations and unequal access to resources have increased vulnerability. The research employs a topographic impact model linking terrain-driven water flows with governance nodes, using archival data, gazetteers, and policy documents to trace the evolution of irrigation networks and coordination mechanisms. Revitalizing collaborative institutions and clarifying multi-level rights can enhance long-term sustainability of this coupled human-water system.

Sun, J., Cai, Y. Y., Hua, L. H., & Cheng, Z. F. (2026). Transformations of water governance and social authority in the Hani Rice Terraces. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1687976