Communal Tenure and the Governance of Common Property Resources in Asia: Lessons from Experiences in Selected Countries

Abstract

"This paper presents an analysis of communal tenure and its role for natural resource management systems, in different contexts of selected Asian countries with a focus on indigenous people. The current market driven pressures on natural resources create both challenges and opportunities for communities and governments to use and strengthen communal tenure in order to promote sustainable management of some natural resources. Overall, policies and institutions that promote accountability and good governance over these resources, both by the government at national and local level and by communities, are required. Communal tenure will also very likely play a significant role in the policies and actions for climate change mitigation (REDD and REDD+)."