Indigenous Control and Sustainability of Common Resources in the Hills of North East India

Abstract

"In excess of 200 tribal groups at various stages of socio- economic development are settled in India's north eastern region (NER), prompting the government to allow these sensitive, hitherto loosely administered territories under British rule to be governed by a separate Sixth Schedule under the Constitution of India This Schedule, was enacted five decades ago to allow autonomy to tribal communities in their administrative, legislative and financial matters; it also served to protect them from domination and exploitation from external forces

"As a result land, forest and mineral resources were exploited on a community basis; tribal institutions governed the use of resources and tribal belief systems promoted sustainable use and exploitation of common resources The preservation of 'sacred forests' and unabated shifting cultivation are examples that show that the results of self governance were a mixed bag."