COMMONS GOVERNANCE

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tragedy-of-the-commons.asp

Context:

India hosted an event on the Protection, Restoration, and Governance of Commons.

What Are Commons?

• Commons are shared resources by communities, not owned by individuals or governments.
• It can include tangible assets like forests, water bodies, and grazing grounds, or intangible ones like local customs and knowledge.
  • • It also applies to global Commons like arctic regions and outer space.
• They provide essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soil.
• They are crucial for livelihoods, especially in rural areas. 

Tragedy of the Commons ●The term was created by ecologist Garrett Hardin in 1960s. ●It refers to individuals overusing and depleting shared resources.

 

Challenges

• Commons are open-access resources that are at risk of overexploitation leading to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.
• Lack of clear ownership creates a "free rider" dilemma, with individuals utilizing without accountability for long-term sustainability.
• Many Commons lack specific legal designations, hindering effective management and conservation efforts.
• Local communities frequently lack the resources required for effective administration and conservation.
• Climate change influences ecosystems, limits resource availability, and increases the frequency of extreme weather events.
• Competing goals among stakeholders in common usage and management.

Way Forward

• Promoting Local Management in Commons Management.
• Identify and promote local management structures.
• Improve the legislative frameworks for commons management.
• Promote sustainable management practices that balance resource use and conservation.
• Provide financial and technical incentives to encourage local management efforts.
• Collaborate with non-governmental organisations and the private sector to mobilise resources.
• Build climate resilience into the management process.
• Involve all stakeholders to ensure good governance.
• Educate communities on the importance of commons and sustainable practices.

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GOOD GOVERNANCE

Source:

Indian Express

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following is/are the major features of the "Tragedy of the Commons"? 1. Depletion of shared resources 2. Individual self-interest 3. Government regulation Select the correct answer using the codes given below: A) 1 and 2 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: A Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Depletion of shared resources is a core component of the "Tragedy of the Commons." When people overuse a shared resource, it becomes depleted. Statement 2 is correct: People act in their self-interest, and this leads to excessive exploitation of the commons. Statement 3 is incorrect: Government regulation is not a characteristic of the "Tragedy of the Commons."