Tag: Commons

The Tragedy of the Commons is one of the most influential ideas in environmental thinking. But, a deeper look at the metaphor reveals that community governance of commons, as opposed to privatisation, may in fact be the answer to governance woes.

The second half of this investigative series on Rajasthan’s Public Land Protection Cells (PLPCs) finds evidence via RTIs and interviews with locals that explain why the district administration has not been effective in spreading awareness about the Cell's functions. Implementing final orders from the PLPC seems to be largely shaped by class and caste dynamics.

A 2019 order passed by the Rajasthan High Court called for the formation of a Public Land Protection Cell, a district-level conflict resolution institution to investigate cases of encroachments on common lands. In this two-part series, The Bastion investigates the efficiency of these unique Public Land Protection Cells through interviews and information received via Right to Information applications. Part 1 uncovers the types of conflicts that occur on these “commons”, and how a delayed start to these cells and slow disposals might be plaguing their functioning.

How can Public Land Protection Cells help resolve conflicts over common land and help impacted communities?

Ram Kumar Roja, 76 years of age, is standing on a ground, bordered by a few trees and a wall. This one acre piece...

India’s vast coastline is home to diverse coastal landscapes and ecosystems. These ecosystems also form the backbone of the fisheries sector, which not only...

Vaishnavi Rathore and Deborupa Ghosh  Since the first week of September, Pur, a town in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan has been on an indefinite protest....