Governance of Commons

The workshop titled ‘Governance of Commons’ was held in Bengaluru during 11 and 12 October 2025. The event served as a platform for sharing experiences and reflecting on the governance of commons and local natural resources, and their implications for environmental stewardship. It examined how customary practices, local institutions, and formal legal frameworks intersect to shape the management of land, water, and pastoral resources. Special attention was given to how traditional systems such as the goba (a community-appointed leader, traditionally plays a key role in conflict resolution, resource allocation, and maintaining social cohesion in the village) and chhurez (a customary institution responsible for the equitable distribution and management of water resources) coexist with contemporary governance mechanisms, including the Panchayati Raj institutions and Autonomous Hill Development Councils, as well as state-led governance structures—and how these overlapping authorities influence decision-making and accountability at the community level.