Management of Common Land Property Resources for Sustainable Livelihoods: A Case of a Tribal Village in Odisha

Abstract

Community farming is proving to be a viable alternative with the increase in depletion of commons all across the globe. Tribals have been using forest lands for subsistence agriculture. With increasing pressure on forest lands, community farming can be a viable alternative for tribals to sustain their livelihoods. Such initiative also helps them to face the risks and vulnerabilities arising due to lack of funds for seeds, fertilizers, irrigation and other support required for improving productivity of agriculture. It enhances their income and helps in changing the socio-economic condition. The case narrates how interventions by NGOs following community based approaches combining traditional knowledge and remunerative access to market benefit village communities overcome acute poverty and recurring distress migration. The case aptly analyses the success of community initiative for managing common lands for enhancing their income by using the indigenous knowledge and successful management of community based organizations like Farmers Groups, Village Development Committees and Forest Protection Groups.