GOVERANCE OF COMMONS: NATIONAL ISSUE
NEWS
:
What are the Commons and why is community leadership needed to govern them?
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS ?
Commons is a term used to refer to resources that are
not owned by any individual or group or the government, but belong to, and are
shared by, the community as a whole
Commons
- Resources not owned by
individuals or governments but shared by communities.
- Examples: Forests, ponds,
grazing lands, rivers, sacred sites, parks, and lakes.
- Intangible Commons:
Language, folk art, traditional knowledge.
- Global Commons: Polar
regions, outer space, the Moon, and planetary bodies.
- Digital Commons: Internet,
open-source software, and creative commons-licensed resources.
Need for
Governance
- Commons require sustainable
management to prevent over-exploitation.
- Lack of ownership leads to
challenges in maintenance.
- Climate change adds stress
to these resources.
Governance
of Commons
- International agreements
govern polar regions, outer space, and high seas.
- Paris Agreement is an
example of global cooperation.
- Urban areas rely on
municipalities for governance.
- Rural areas often lack clear
governance; local communities may lack resources and legal rights.
Forest
Rights Act (FRA) in India
- Recognizes legal rights of
forest dwellers to live and sustain livelihoods in forest areas.
- FRA provides a template for
managing forest Commons but needs extension to other resources.
Conclusion
- Commons cover about 25% of
India’s land, supporting 350 million rural people.
- They generate Rs 6.6 lakh
crore annually in goods and services.
- New frameworks are needed
for other common resources, especially wastelands.
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/commons-governance-9567461/