ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the case studies come from the states of Meghalaya, Himachel Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, which are states that go right across the economic development spectrum in India. The case study from Himachel Pradesh demonstrates the potential for communities to become isolated when the enabling support environment fails to operate properly, while the case study from Sikkim shows how effective support can be provided through the local self-government. Uttarakhand is a state where a large World Bank supported community management rural water supply programme can be found. That programme is officially called the Uttarakhand Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project but is commonly known as Swajal. Due to the remote nature of many villages within the mountainous and hilly states of India, the natural preference for a community management model is perhaps even stronger than elsewhere in the country. However, the context does present challenges in terms of providing support to communities.
