What Are Common Property Resources in India?
Common Property Resources (CPRs) in India refer to shared resources like village forests, grazing lands, and water bodies managed by communities with defined rules. Unlike open-access resources, which lack governance and are prone to overuse, CPRs are regulated by community institutions to ensure sustainability.
These resources are crucial for rural communities, providing essentials like fuelwood, fodder, and water. According to a narrow definition, CPRs exist only when a specific group has clear rights and rules for collective use, distinguishing them from free-access resources.
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Types of Common Property Resources in Rural India
In rural India, CPRs encompass a wide range of resources used collectively by villagers. These include:
Village Forests and Woodlots: Managed by village panchayats or communities, these provide timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products.
Grazing and Pasture Lands: Known as gauchar or gochar, these support livestock and nomadic pastoralists.
Water Sources: Ponds, rivers, and springs used for drinking, irrigation, fishing, and household tasks.
Village Sites and Threshing Floors: Spaces for processing agricultural produce and storing grains.
Coastal Beaches: Used by fishing communities for boat repairs, fish drying, and sorting catches.
These resources are often governed by traditional or modern community institutions, ensuring equitable access and sustainable use.
Common Water Sources in Indian Villages
Water is a lifeline in rural India, and most water sources are CPRs. These include ponds, rivers, springs, and canals used for:
Drinking, bathing, and washing
Irrigation and livestock care
Fishing and household tasks
In regions like eastern Vidarbha, Maharashtra, communities historically built water bodies for diverse purposes. Informal village committees, often led by a “Pankar,” ensured maintenance and fair distribution. However, access may vary based on caste, occupation, or location, with some groups like potters or fishermen using specific water bodies.
Common Village Lands
Village lands classified as CPRs include:
Grazing/Pasture Lands: Historically mapped as permanent pastures, these support livestock and nomadic pastoralists. Colonial records labeled them gauchar or gairan.
Village Forests and Woodlots: Managed by communities or panchayats, these are distinct from state-controlled forests.
Village Sites and Threshing Floors: Used for agricultural processing and storage.
Traditionally, these lands were protected by local controls to prevent overuse, but pressures from arable farming and legal changes have reduced their availability.
Government Forests and Coastal Beaches
Government forests, classified as Reserved, Protected, or Unclassified, are often treated as CPRs when managed by village communities. Sacred groves also serve as CPRs in many areas. Coastal beaches are critical for fishing communities, providing space for boat repairs and fish processing. However, tourism and industrial activities have encroached on these spaces, limiting access for traditional users.
Historical Evolution of CPRs: Pre- and Post-Independence
Before colonial rule, CPRs were freely accessible to rural communities under local control. However, from the 1850s, British policies introduced state control over forests and resources, weakening community management. The Indian Forest Act (1927) declared forests as “reserved” or “protected,” restricting villager access and downgrading rights to privileges. By 1980, 23% of India’s land was under state control, affecting 300 million rural resource users (Lindsay, 1994).
Post-independence, the central government expanded control by abolishing princely state forests. Today, villagers have legal access only to specific categories like pasture lands and village forests. The erosion of community rights has led to disinterest in resource maintenance, degrading many CPRs.
CPRs and Rural Poverty
CPRs are a lifeline for the rural poor, who rely on them for fuel, fodder, and food. Jodha’s studies (1986, 1990) revealed:
84–100% of poor households depend on CPRs for essentials, compared to 20% of richer households.
Poor households derive 14–23% of their income from CPR products.
Land reforms and privatization reduced CPR availability, impacting the poor the most.
In dryland areas, CPRs act as a buffer during droughts, providing fodder and saleable products when crops fail. However, encroachment and open-access usage have degraded these resources, reducing their quality and quantity.
CPRs and Poverty Among Women
Women in poor households are disproportionately dependent on CPRs, as they are often responsible for collecting water, fuelwood, and fodder. Degradation of CPRs increases their workload, forcing them to travel longer distances. For example:
Degraded forests mean more time spent gathering fuelwood.
Loss of common water sources extends water collection trips.
Lack of fodder impacts livestock-based income, a key resource for women.
Women’s reliance on CPRs makes them key stakeholders in their conservation. Many poverty alleviation programs now prioritize women’s participation in CPR management, recognizing their role in sustainable resource use. Organized movements by rural women have also asserted their resource rights.
Urban Commons: A Growing Concern
While CPRs are primarily studied in rural contexts, urban commons like public parks, lakes, and hills face similar challenges. In Bengaluru, once known as the “city of lakes,” rapid urbanization converted lakes into residential or commercial spaces. Remaining lakes, used by poorer communities for fishing or washing, were often fenced off as parks, excluding traditional users. This transformation highlights the need to study and protect urban commons.
Preserving CPRs in India
Despite challenges, some CPR management systems persist. Jodha (1990) found that small, isolated communities with traditional social sanctions are more likely to preserve CPRs. Key factors include:
Distance from market centers
Less socio-economic differentiation
Minimal dependence on state patronage
The Forest Rights Act (2006) has been a game-changer, allowing communities to claim rights over forest resources. This legislation, combined with renewed interest in CPR management, has supported poverty alleviation programs by strengthening local institutions.
Why CPRs Matter for India’s Future
CPRs are critical for rural livelihoods, poverty alleviation, and women’s empowerment. They provide a safety net for the poor, support agricultural economies, and promote sustainable resource use. However, privatization, state control, and urbanization threaten their existence. Strengthening community institutions and legal protections, like the Forest Rights Act, is essential for preserving CPRs.
Conclusion
Common Property Resources in India are more than shared lands or water bodies—they are lifelines for the rural poor and women. From grazing lands to urban lakes, CPRs support livelihoods and resilience against environmental challenges. Jodha’s studies and the Forest Rights Act highlight the importance of community-led management. As India balances development and sustainability, protecting CPRs is crucial. Share your thoughts on CPR preservation in the comments or learn more about rural development at Forest Rights Act resources.
FAQ
What are Common Property Resources in India?
CPRs are shared resources like forests, ponds, and grazing lands managed by communities with defined rules.
How do CPRs support the rural poor?
CPRs provide fuel, fodder, and food, with 84–100% of poor households relying on them for essentials (Jodha, 1990).
Why are women more dependent on CPRs?
Women in poor households collect water, fuelwood, and fodder, making them key stakeholders in CPR conservation.
What is the Forest Rights Act?
The Forest Rights Act (2006) allows communities to claim legal rights over forest resources, strengthening CPR management.
