In many localities, river water is a contested natural resource: various agricultural uses compete with each other and with other uses such as hydro-electric power generation, drinking water supply, or demands for environmental protection. The present research project focuses on the question of how institutional regulations - ensuring sustainable resource use - emerge in such conflicting arenas. The research consists of three main components: (i) Ph.D. study on institutional dimensions of conflicting river water use in Kerala, India; (ii) Ph.D. study on institutional dimensions of conflicting river water use in Switzerland (M. Zaugg); (iii) and a comparative analysis of such institutional regulations in Kerala and Switzerland.