Ownership of commons in India has not been recognised. Do you see any significant change after the Supreme Court (SC) order in 2011, which said that no authority can allot, lease, sell or divert these lands, and only weaker sections of the society can use them?
There is a mixed trend. On the one hand, there is greater recognition of commons after the SC verdict and many states have made policies to protect the commons. On the other, there is increasing pressure from the current “development” model that often declares the commons as “undeveloped land”. These lands are being gifted to landless people for housing or non-agriculture purposes. The government doesn’t recognise the fact that these lands have been historically used by the landless to sustain their economy. However, the value of the commons is highly underestimated. People still do not see it as a valuable asset.
Tell us about the value of commons?
The current trajectory is to create further pressure on the commons. It is being used for “development purposes” like buildings and industries. This has led to destruction of lakes, tanks and decline in groundwater, triggering water scarcity and loss of livelihoods.
Denne historien er fra November 01, 2019-utgaven av Down To Earth.
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Denne historien er fra November 01, 2019-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara