Conservation of Commons

Background

In rural areas, commons typically refer to land or other natural resources that are collectively owned or managed by a community or group of people. Common land in rural areas can include pastures (gochar), woodlands, meadows, or wetlands that are available for use by members of the community for grazing livestock, gathering firewood or other natural resources, or for other purposes.

Commons in rural areas play an important role in sustaining the livelihoods of local communities, particularly in areas where access to private land is limited. Here are some of the roles that commons play in Indian villages:

Livelihoods: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), around 70% of India's rural population relies on commons for their livelihoods. For example, around 90% of India's livestock depend on grazing lands for their fodder, and about 70% of rural households use firewood as their primary source of energy. In addition, non-timber forest products, such as fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants, provide an important source of income for many rural communities. A study by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education estimated that the annual income from non-timber forest products in India is around 60 billion rupees (around US$800 million).
Cultural practices: Sacred groves, which are patches of forest protected by communities for religious and cultural purposes, are common in many parts of India. According to a study by the Indian Institute of Forest Management, there are around 100,000 sacred groves in India, covering an area of around 1.7 million hectares. These groves are often associated with traditional beliefs and practices, and play an important role in the cultural identity of many rural communities.
Biodiversity conservation: India is one of the world's most biodiverse countries, with around 7-8% of the world's plant and animal species. Many of these species are found in commons, such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands. For example, India's forests are home to around 7,000 species of flowering plants, 1,200 species of birds, and 400 species of mammals. A study by the Indian Institute of Science estimated that India's forests provide habitat for around 6,000-7,000 plant species, of which around 2,000 are endemic to the country.
Climate resilience: Commons can help to build resilience to climate change in rural communities. For example, forests play an important role in regulating the water cycle, reducing the risk of soil erosion, and mitigating the impacts of floods and droughts. A study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research estimated that forests and other natural habitats in India provide around 75% of the country's water resources. Similarly, wetlands play an important role in regulating the water cycle, and provide important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. A study by the Indian Institute of Science estimated that wetlands in India provide ecosystem services worth around 2.6 trillion rupees (around US$35 billion) each year.

A landless village woman in Western Gujarat working in commons.

There is ample evidence to suggest that the degradation of commons is a key contributor to poverty, conflict, corruption, and limited economic growth in India. Here are some statistics that highlight the impact of commons degradation on these issues:

Poverty: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), around 70% of India's rural population relies on commons, such as forests, wetlands, and grazing lands, for their livelihoods. However, the degradation of these resources has a significant impact on rural poverty. For example, studies have shown that deforestation and land degradation in India have led to declines in crop yields and livestock productivity, resulting in lower incomes for rural communities. A study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research estimated that the degradation of forest and grazing lands in India has cost the country's rural economy around 3.75 trillion rupees (around US$50 billion) over the past two decades.
Conflict: The degradation of commons has also been linked to conflict in India. For example, disputes over water resources have led to violence in many parts of the country. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, there were over 300 incidents of water-related violence in India between 2014 and 2020. Similarly, conflicts over access to forest resources, such as timber and non-timber forest products, have also led to violence and unrest in many parts of the country.
Corruption: The degradation of commons has been linked to corruption in India, particularly in the forestry sector. According to the Global Financial Integrity report, the forestry sector in India has been a major source of illicit financial flows, with an estimated US$1.1 billion in illegal logging and timber trade between 2000 and 2011. Corruption in the forestry sector has also led to poor governance, unsustainable land use practices, and degradation of natural resources.
Limited Economic Growth: The degradation of commons in India has also had a significant impact on the country's economic growth. For example, studies have shown that soil erosion and degradation of land and water resources have led to declines in agricultural productivity, which is a major sector of the Indian economy. A study by the World Bank estimated that soil degradation in India costs the country around 2.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.

It is therefore critical to promote sustainable land use and natural resource management practices that help to conserve and restore commons, while also ensuring that the benefits of these resources are shared equitably among local communities.

Collection of firewood in commons. Photo by Sayid Budhi

Key challenges

There are several key challenges in conserving commons in India, including:

Overexploitation: Commons are often subject to overexploitation, as they are a shared resource that can be used by many people. For example, grazing lands may be overgrazed by livestock, leading to soil erosion and reduced productivity. Forests may be overexploited for timber and other resources, leading to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
Encroachment: Commons are often vulnerable to encroachment by other users, such as industries, urbanization, and infrastructure development. This can lead to loss of habitat, degradation of ecosystem services, and displacement of local communities.
Lack of tenure and property rights: In many cases, local communities do not have secure tenure and property rights over commons. This can lead to conflicts over resource use, as well as disincentives for local communities to invest in conservation and sustainable management.
Weak governance and enforcement: The governance of commons in India is often weak, with limited capacity for planning, monitoring, and enforcement. This can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency, as well as corruption and mismanagement of resources.
Climate change and natural disasters: Climate change and natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, can have a significant impact on the resilience and productivity of commons. For example, droughts can lead to loss of vegetation cover and reduced water availability, while floods can cause soil erosion and loss of habitat.

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that involves strengthening governance and institutional frameworks, promoting sustainable management practices, and engaging local communities in conservation efforts. This involves policies that recognize and secure tenure and property rights over commons, capacity building for local institutions and communities, and the development of incentives and mechanisms for sustainable resource use and management.

A local level synergy by villages in Rajasthan to protect their commons.

Systematic and synergetic solutions

A systematic approach to address the challenges of conserving commons in India could involve the following steps:

Strengthening governance and institutional frameworks: This involve developing and implementing policies and legal frameworks that recognize and secure tenure and property rights over commons, and establish clear guidelines and standards for sustainable resource use and management. It could also involve capacity building for local institutions and government agencies, such as training programs for forest officers and community leaders.
Promoting sustainable management practices: This involve promoting best practices for sustainable resource use and management, such as agroforestry, sustainable grazing practices, and community-based conservation. It could also involve developing and implementing ecosystem-based management plans, which take into account the inter-relationships between different natural systems and species.
Engaging local communities in conservation efforts: This involve promoting community-based approaches to conservation, such as participatory planning and decision-making, community patrols to monitor and prevent illegal activities, and community-based enterprises that promote sustainable livelihoods. It could also involve developing incentives and mechanisms for local communities to participate in conservation efforts, such as benefit-sharing agreements and eco-tourism programs.
Investing in research and development: This involve investing in research and development to better understand the inter-relationships between different natural systems and species, and to develop new and innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable resource use. It could also involve investing in the development and dissemination of new technologies, such as GIS mapping and remote sensing, to support conservation efforts.
Building partnerships and networks: This involve building partnerships and networks between government agencies, local communities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing. It could also involve engaging with international organizations and donors to leverage resources and expertise.

Amrita Dravya Foundation is adopting and promoting the above systematic approach that addresses these key areas, and thus it is possible to overcome the challenges of conserving commons in India and promote sustainable resource use and management for the benefit of present and future generations.