Degradation of Commons Property Resources and its Impact on Livelihoods of Dependent Rural Community: A Case Study of Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Throughout the world today, various common property resources systems are coming under increased pressure, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. Rapid rates of population growth, technological change, increases in the size of markets, and cultural changes, as well as uneven growth and persistent poverty, have often resulted in increased levels of utilization of various natural-resource-based systems. Forests are being cleared rapidly; groundwater is being pumped to the surface at an often alarmingly high rate; fish and wildlife populations are declining in the face of loss of habitat and high levels of harvesting; range and pasture lands are being overgrazed; and other example abound. Because the exploitation of these resource systems represents an important component in the livelihoods of people throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America, their degradation cannot be ignored (David H. Feeny). The present study is conducted in Dindigul District in Tamilnadu consisted of 14 blocks. This study was carried out in 5 blocks namely Oddanchatram, Reddiyarchatrm, Dindigul, Sanarpatti and Vadamadurai. These blocks were identified based on the high level of CPR present over there. From each of the above mentioned identified block 5 village panchayats have been selected. The main objectives of the present study were to examine the dependency level of Common Property Resources(CPR) among the respondents and also to study the determinants of degradation of Common Property Resources (CPR) in the study area.