Application of the social-ecological systems framework to understand the complexity of groundwater governance

Groundwater governance poses complex socio-ecological challenges, particularly in semi-arid regions for agriculture and livelihoods. This study applies Elinor Ostrom's Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework to analyse the governance of groundwater resources in two watersheds in Gujarat and Rajasthan, India. The study investigates how local institutions, governance structures, leadership, and collective action influence groundwater management outcomes, employing semi-structured interviews and participant observation as qualitative research methods. By integrating empirical case studies with the SES insights, this study contributes to understanding decentralised groundwater governance models. for improving community-based water resource management. In the Meghraj and Dharta watersheds, the study found that participatory groundwater monitoring by trained local volunteers (Bhujal Jaankaars), supported by community-level institutions, was associated with enhanced awareness, information sharing, and equitable water allocation. Differences in leadership, social capital, and rule compliance between the case study villages highlightes the influence of contextual SES variables on governance outcomes. The study suggests that scaling localised governance strategies, enhancing knowledge exchange, and strengthening institutional frameworks are crucial for fostering sustainable groundwater use in similar socio-ecological contexts.