Governance of Commons and Livelihood Security

Abstract

"Commons are neither private properties nor open access resources. These are not nationalised properties either. Commons are the resources used by recognizable group of people who derive their livelihood (part or full) from these as well as recognize their role as stewards or guardians of the same resources. Governance of commons has become immensely significant because of growing encroachment on commons and subsequent privatization of the same in a conspicuous manner. Such attempts not only deprive the commoner’s access to commons but also wipe out the flow of ecological, social and bequest benefits of commons. This book tries to have (a) better conceptualisation of harmonic cohabitation of resource conservation and livelihood generation and (b) evidences of sustainable reconciliation between governance of commons, conservation of resources and livelihood security of commoners. The book is divided into five sections and each section has a specific emphasis. Emphasis of the first section is 'governance of commons'. Likewise, the focus of the second section is 'commons and livelihood' and the third is 'effect of climate change on commons'. Sections four and five accentuate respectively on 'poverty, social exclusion and commons' and 'stories of commons'."