The Lifeline of the Commons: Empowering Tribal Communities for a Sustainable Future

Every day, Phulwasan Kudupi, a member of the Gond tribe in Masulpani village, Chhattisgarh, ventures into the forest with her community. She gathers Mahua, Harra, Behada, and Tendu leaves-essential forest products with medicinal properties-to sell at the market and support her family. "We completely depend on the forest for our livelihood," Kudupi says. "We would do anything to protect it."

Her story is shared by millions of tribal communities across India and the world who rely on the "Commons" for their survival. The "Commons" are natural resources, such as forests, pastures, and water bodies which are accessible and collectively used and managed by all members of the community.

In India, roughly 350 million people, particularly in rural and tribal areas, depend on these shared resources. Yet, their access and rights remain precarious.

Why the Commons matter

Globally, 2.5 billion people depend on community-governed lands. These Commons are often managed through collective rules that ensure fair use and sustainability.

Degradation of these resources has led to biodiversity loss, land degradation, and water scarcity, hitting vulnerable communities the hardest. Tribal populations (also called indigenous peoples), who derive nearly half their annual income from forests, are especially affected. Addressing these challenges requires secure land rights and decentralized governance to protect livelihoods and the environment.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Elinor Ostrom's research on collective resource management provides a roadmap for sustainable Commons governance. Her principles resonate deeply with India's rural and tribal communities, whose futures depend on preserving these shared resources.

Commons: Key to Climate Resilience and Gender Equality

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the importance of secure rights to Commons in combating climate change. Communities with control over their resources are better equipped to manage and protect them, mitigating environmental risks. For tribal communities, the Commons are more than economic resources-they are critical for withstanding climate shocks such as droughts and floods.

Gender equality is also central to the conversation. Women, often responsible for resource gathering, bear the brunt of Commons degradation. This disproportionately impacts their rights, livelihoods, and social status. Secure land tenure provides legal recognition to women over these resources to have fair access to land and other natural resources. Further inclusive governance and management of natural resources enhances their status within the community, empowering them to participate actively in decision-making processes ensuring equitable access to resources and fostering sustainable practices.

A Rights-based approach

Efforts to restore the Commons align with the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the principle of "Leave No One Behind." This approach calls for governance that balances ecological restoration, livelihoods, and social equity.

UNDP India, in partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, state tribal welfare departments, and the Foundation for Ecological Security, has championed community-based conservation. Strengthening the implementation of India's Forest Rights Act (FRA) - a landmark law recognizing the rights of forest-dwelling communities, especially Scheduled Tribes-has empowered tribal groups to manage their resources sustainably.

The FRA protects tribal rights and promotes biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. By empowering communities to manage forests, it ensures livelihood security and aligns with India's climate goals.

Through initiatives like the Commons Convening in New Delhi, which gathered over 500 stakeholders, UNDP and partners emphasize the role of the Commons in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and advancing climate action.

Shared resources, shared future

The Commons are more than shared spaces; they are lifelines for millions of marginalized people. Protecting these resources is critical for social justice, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

On Human Rights Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights of those who depend on the Commons. By empowering tribal and rural communities, we can create a future where shared resources are preserved and become platforms for equity, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Together, we can ensure no one is left behind.