Examining the Role of Informal Institutions in Sustainable Development in the Northeastern Region of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/tjmitm.2026.16.01.10Abstract
The current study examines how the informal institutions encourage sustainable development (SD) in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India, where a high level of diversity prevails, due to differences in the culture, ecological importance, and social- economic complexity. Historically, it is possible to state that informal institutions, including community- based organizations (CBOs), indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), and traditional governance structures are among the key ways of resolving developmental problems. The research design employed a qualitative research, in which semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted on 150 respondents chosen in Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram. The study aimed at the role of these informal institutions in enhancing environment sustainability, social inclusion and economic strength in the area. Thematic analysis was used to analyze primary data by use of qualitative software (NVivo). In the study findings, it can be seen that; informal institutions such as providing local knowledge, sensitivity to culture and implementation at the grass roots especially in the management of resources, social welfare and economic resilience complement the formal structures. Based on the findings, it was established that informal institutions play a key role in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and specifically on local environmental approaches, social justice as well as economic opportunities. This study notes the necessity of combining informal institutions and formal governance frameworks to create sustainable, inclusive, resilient communities in the NER.
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