In the remote village of Wahlyngdoh, East Khasi Hills District, survival has always meant resilience. With no motorable road and the nearest primary health centre accessible only by a long trek, villagers have long faced the challenge of meeting basic health needs on their own. For years, diarrhoea outbreaks repeatedly plagued residents, affecting children, youth, and the elderly alike. Without easy access to health services, the burden of illness was heavy and recurring.
But instead of accepting this reality, the Village Health Council (VHC) of Wahlyngdoh decided to take action. Their solution was not only innovative but also deeply rooted in ecological wisdom: they turned to nature itself for healing.
The Problem: When Water Becomes a Threat
Water, the very source of life, had become the source of disease in Wahlyngdoh. The village’s main water source was polluted, carrying pathogens that spread diarrhoea across households. With little sanitation infrastructure and no nearby medical facility, residents were trapped in a cycle of sickness and vulnerability.
The VHC, serving as the community’s bridge between health needs and local action, recognised that without safe drinking water, no amount of medicines or short-term interventions would bring lasting change. Drawing inspiration from both local knowledge and environmental science, the VHC crafted a solution that was both low-cost and sustainable: introducing native fish species into the village water source to act as natural purifiers.
Species such as:
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Tilapia
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Grass carp
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Gobies
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Catfishes
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Wrasse, cichlids, pipefishes, and lumpsuckers
…were carefully selected and introduced. These fish are known for their ability to consume algae, control mosquito larvae, and reduce harmful organic matter—gradually restoring the balance of the water ecosystem.
What might seem like a small step was, in reality, a climate-smart, community-led health intervention. By using biodiversity as an ally, the villagers not only improved water quality but also created a resilient system that would keep working naturally over time. The results soon became visible. Cases of diarrhoea dropped dramatically as the water source regained clarity and purity. Children who once missed school due to illness were healthier and more regular in class. Families no longer had to rely solely on expensive trips to distant health centres for treatment.
Most importantly, the community experienced a shift in confidence. Villagers realised that they could design their own solutions—ones that were environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, and tailored to their unique challenges.
The Wahlyngdoh initiative goes beyond improving drinking water. It is also a story of climate resilience. By embracing ecological balance and conserving local biodiversity, the VHC has built a system that adapts to environmental stressors while safeguarding human health.