Self-Governance Saves Common Lands from Degradation in India

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The fate of common land is predictable—misuse and abuse. Rangelands are overgrazed. Forests are stripped bare. Water is polluted. Scientists call it the “tragedy of the commons.” But with support from the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), villagers from various states in India have found solutions, and even restored and improved 200,000 hectares of common property rangelands.

For villagers in Barundni in Rajasthan, for instance, the improvements made on their leased land inspired eight other villages to protect 780 hectares of common land, which has improved their livestock systems and fodder supply. Similarly, interventions on the Ladwan watershed by villagers in Madya Pradesh led to an increase in water levels in 63 of the 83 wells, in addition to increases in food, timber, and fodder production! In India, common property lands, which are usually located on uplands, are vital for ecological functions. They play key roles in the water cycle, biodiversity conservation and pollination, among other functions. But these lands are also a vital source of livelihoods, especially for the poor, who get their energy and food and fodder for livestock from the forests and water from wells.

A study conducted in 2010 showed that more than one-third of India’s land was degraded, and the commons were among the most affected. FES, established in 2001 in New Delhi, began working with the affected communities to set up systems that meet their needs and rehabilitate land using various restoration techniques.

When beginning a new project, FES follows some key steps. It uses local self-governance institutions to promote the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. FES locates forests and other natural resources to fulfill the economic, social, and ecological demands of the villages and village conglomerates. And FES focuses on improving the living conditions of the poor by stimulating more activities and projects in their areas.

Today, FES is active in over 4,000 villages, and more than 1.7 million people benefit from its activities. The success of FES interventions has led to revisions of national laws for common land management. These achievements earned FES the 2013 Land for Life Award, taking home a first prize of US$40,000.

Web site: http://fes.org.in