Post on 13-Apr-2017
CollectiveTenure over Commons
Experiences from India
Foundation
for Ecological Security
(FES)
An Overview of the Presentation
• Principles of Commoning• Extent and Nature of Problem• Key tenets of Work• Commoning at Local Level• Commoning at Landscape Level• Policy and programmatic action• Emerging Issues
Principles Underpinning Commoning
We believe :
• All human beings are EQUAL• Local communities have
CAPACITIES to manage their resources
• Natural Resources are FINITE resources
• INTER GENERATIONAL responsibility
• Commons range from about 48.69 to 84.2 million hectare constituting 15% to more than 25% of the total geographical area of the country.
• Around 84-100% of the rural poor depend on the Commons for fuel, fodder and food items. (Jodha, 1982)
• Over the last 30 years, common lands have declined by 31 to 55%.
The primary reasons being
neglect of tenure rights of the
local communities and erosion in
governance institutions
Extent and Nature of Problem
Where We Work
Southern AP and Karnataka—drought prone, intensive production systems, water crisis
Gujarat—Ravination, salination, intensification of agriculture and livestock rearing
South-Eastern Rajasthan Agro-pastoralist systems in which livestock is a major asset
Eastern MP and Odisha—forest dependent livelihoods; large number of indigenous communities
Key Tenets of our Work At local level
Community institutions formalise/ evolve rules and regulations for governance of Common land
Claim collective tenure arrangements (in favour of Community institutions) so that the constituent village communities can make secure investments
Assist in restoration of degraded ecosystems
With Governments Favorable collective tenure
arrangements Devolution of management and
governance of common lands to lowest tier.
Programmatic action to translate policy intentions and public investments towards ecological restoration.
To formalise village specific rules for establishing democratic system , provisioning for poor, rules for resource governance
Final image defined boundary, universal membership, supremacy of the General Body, proper representation, decentralized structures, eligibility, right and duties of
members fund management system, access and appropriation rules, conflict resolution mechanism, provisioning for poor
Working with villages – Evolving Byelaws
Recognition of Rights over Commons
• Long term Lease arrangements (15-99 years)
• Co-management (Negotiating rights over forests through Joint Forest Management & Eco-Development Committees)
• Inalienable Tenure (through Community Forest Management & Conversion of Pastures)
• Strengthening existing Tenure (Lands under the Panchayats)
Bio-physical Restoration
Ecological Profiles Floral and faunal diversity
(Biodiversity) Data on Hydrological status Assess the status of
catchments –existing Water bodies
Assess the Soil status Data on Agriculture (Cropping
pattern, types, yield etc.) status
Identify Indicators for future monitoring
Evolving restoration & Conservation Action Plans for the village & the Landscape
Commoning at a Landscape Level• Evolving programmatic action
with State/District governments for restoring commons
• Campaigns for securing and restoring Commons
• Building capacities of local governance institutions to claim and secure commons and leverage programmes for restoration
• Build Collaborations and platforms that facilitate convergence and dialogue.
Lithology
Water Table
Recharge Potential
Slope
Landuse & Landcover
CLART
Recommendation
Very Good Recharge Surface Storage Treatment Plan
Treatment Plan based on Composite Land Assessment & Restoration Tool
(CLART)
Planning for conservation of land & Water (Composite Approach)
Planning for conservation of land & Water (Composite Approach)
Drainage Line
Drainage Line
Planning for conservation of land & Water (Composite Approach)
Drainage Line
Planning for conservation of land & Water (Composite Approach)
Drainage Line
Planning for conservation of land & Water (Composite Approach)
Drainage Line
Planning for conservation of land & Water
Extraction of tr ee biomass f rom the RF
4473
3712
5370
0
4000
8000
12000
16000
1Biomass use
Net addition
Excessextr action
P er missiblel imit
MAIEXT
RACTION
Qua
ntity
(MT)
Estimated tree biomass in RF = 4,72,315 MT
Mean annual increment (MAI) = 2.84% of tree biomass
= 13,555 MT
Recommended harvest limit = 33% of MAI
= 4,473 MT
Present level of extraction = 8,185 MT
Therefore, the extraction is much more than the permissible
harvest limit (85% higher).
Forest Cover Single Crop Double Crop Scrubland Wasteland0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Change in Land Use Land Cover in Thoria Watershed
1993
2002
2006
2013
Are
a in
Hec
tare
s
• Evolving a framework to value collective action
• Promoting Polycentric Governance for governing Commons
• Aligning and and water related policies
Emerging Issues
THANK YOUJagdeesh@fes.org.in
We aimed at– Dispelling the notion of
wastelands and showcase its critical importance for agricultural economy
– Demonstrating that local communities are very much capable of managing their forests, land, water…
– Advocating alignment of ‘Right to Employment Act’ with ‘Right over Resources’
– Building bridges- Commons need Commons
Policy and programmatic action
Policy FormulationReframe the need to protect
Commons by building up economic evidence of
Commons in rural livelihoods
Review the existing legal provisions and programmes to
understand the gaps and integrate 'Commons' in the
mainstream.
Build a common platform for different Departments to discuss and deliberate on
Commons issues.
Embed flexibility-moving beyond one-off processes,
leveraging new opportunities
Design programmes focusing on Commons
Build on commonly agreed rather than getting into
contestations
Draft Policy on Commons
Facilitate government in issuing Executive Orders
and Advisories
Hosted the 13th IASC Conference, pitching the
Conference to highlight the need for Policy on Commons in India and influence the 12th
five year plan.
Collaborate with other organizations across the
domains of forests, pastures, water as well as knowledge, digital and urban Commons
surfacing a Commons vocabulary
• Evolving a framework to value collective action
• Promoting Polycentric Governance for governing Commons
• Aligning and and water related policies
Emerging Issues
THANK YOUJagdeesh@fes.org.in
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