How Common is Commons: Political Economy of Wasteland Development

Abstract

"The so-called 'uncultivated half' has received attention of Aid Agencies, Planners and Environmentalists to a great extent in recent past. For many, it is a wasted opportunity and hence a wasted land. Vandana Shiva (EPU XXI, 15, 1986) has raised some very relevant issues with regard to the official policy far wasteland development programme. However, while the over-all thrust of her argument is quite acceptable, there are certain inadequacies with regard to the conceptualisation of the problem and consequent search for the alternatives. I will first summarise some of the key points she makes and then present my arguments in the context of the recent lobbying pursued by FICCI, International Aid Agencies and concerned citizens within our country."