Indigenous peoples of Northeast India have diverse systems of communal ownership, customary governance, and natural resource management. Constitutional protections provide important safeguards, but their operation varies considerably across the region.

This policy brief examines how clearer institutional responsibilities, context specific recognition of collective tenure, accessible documentation, and stronger community participation could improve land governance. It presents policy options for national and state governments, autonomous councils, Indigenous institutions, communities, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) member organizations, and development actors. It is part of a series that examines the political participation of Indigenous communities in Northeast India, Bangladesh and Nepal.