Natural resources form an integral part of any society. They are a source of income, industry and identity. They play a central role in the wellbeing of local community. The community is dependent on them for their livelihood. These resources are a point of pride to them as a part of village patrimony. Besides its economic value, natural resources also have historical and cultural significance. People have attachment to these resources as they and their forefathers have invested labour and sweat in them. And therefore growing misuse and depletion of these resources is a matter of great concern. There are various reasons for this degradation. Some of these reasons are; demographic growth which has increased pressure on resources for consumption, penetration of market forces which has linked local use of resources to larger network of demands, and confusion over ownership of these resources because of which onus of responsibility cannot be ensured. Lack of clear ownership and management of natural resources often lead to problems like environment degradation, human rights violations, lobbying by business houses and other powerful groups, lack of accountability, and capture of resources in few hands.
There is an opinion building which proposes that increasing inclusion, involvement and participation of local community (the major stakeholder), can reduce the misuse of natural resources. The local populace, who is in need of these resources for livelihood, would contribute in resource conservation as it is in their interest to do so. People from the locality possess time and place specific knowledge, which can be best used for resource utilization. People are attached to these resources and have common territorial affiliation and communal bond with these resources. Community participation can also reduce administrative and management costs due to proximity of local participants. Therefore there is growing emphasis on grassroots institutions i.e., Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, which can mediate and facilitate better outcomes of resource utilization and conservation. Thus Panchayats can act as mediator and Gram Sabhas as ‘hybrid communities’. In fact Art. 243(G) of the Indian constitution has made it mandatory that Panchayats have to take the responsibility of 29 subjects, which include important natural resources like fisheries, water, forests, mining etc.
Goa is a land of abundant resources. For Goa, natural resources mainly compose of land, water (drinkable as well as water bodies), minerals, forests, beaches, fish and wildlife. These resources are part of identity of Goa. People of Goa hold a powerful attachment to these resources. There are also religious and cultural traditions evolved over time and thus there is emotional bond established in the people of Goa over the natural resources of State. When we turn the pages of history of Goa, much before the advent of Portuguese colonial rule, there were ancient grassroots institutions called ‘Gaunkari’ (which later were referred to as Communidades) that took the onus of looking after the natural resources and thus maintained balance between society and its natural resources. There was also existence of concept of CPR (Common Pool of Resources) managed by these institutions. However the political, demographic and economic changes post liberation (after 1961) began to affect the Diaspora of the state.
Goa, most sought after tourist destination, began to witness a dramatic change. The socio-economic changes, demography and development in this otherwise ‘susegado’ (content) state began to have tremendous implications for its natural resources, both renewable as well non renewable. Increasing influx of the migrants, capital centric development policies, and booming of tourism industry resulted in strain on the natural resources of the state. Today various stakeholders are asserting their claim on the rich natural resources of the state. The Government, business houses, industry, landowners, NGOs, Communidades, Church, migrants, and the local populace, everybody seems to be involved in hoarding of access rights to resources. Today Goa has become a ‘pie’ or an ‘egg’ and there is scramble for its natural resources for revenue (e.g. mining) on one hand and destruction of resources (e.g. incessantly falling of trees) in the name of development on the other. The central question is who will mind, control and trade the natural resources of Goa? (as everybody wants to do it!) .
The fact remains that the further deterioration of resources can be checked by pro-active Panchayats and Gram Sabhas. The Panchayats should strive towards policy of inclusion, where different sections of the village community are involved in resource management. The NGOs, women, Women Self Help Groups can play very proactive role in management of resources. The Panchayat should identify the resources which can be categorised as Common Property Resources (CPR). These can be forests, mountains, water bodies etc.
The Panchayats should make the community realise significance of these CPR through Gram Sabhas and need for their preservation and effective utilisation. The Panchayat should focus on capacity building to manage and develop natural resources. Common guidelines can be framed, and committees can be formed from among the Gram Sabha members for monitoring and evaluation. The Panchayat should promote cooperation between various stake holders in the natural resources. Promoting symmetrical growth will arrest and reverse the trend of degradation of natural resources.
(The author is Associate Professor of Political
Science, Government
College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Khandola)
