More than thirty-five champions and coordinators from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh gathered in Bengaluru to discuss the governance of Commons during an event earlier this month. The gathering strove to foreground the voices of the Commons Champions, people who were on the frontlines of defending and restoring Commons, and of the grassroots organizations that often worked in close coordination with these champions.
The Commons include tanks, grazing lands, forests, and other shared resources that are central to rural livelihoods. The roundtable was convened to hear directly from those engaged in protecting these resources and to better understand the opportunities and challenges they face.
Roundtable participants deliberate on challenges and opportunities in the governance of tanks, grazing lands, and forests in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The discussions made clear that Commons are not separate from the daily lives of rural communities but are closely tied to their social, economic, political, and cultural realities. This was reflected in the remarks of Aruna, a leader from Kolar district, who emphasised the need for women’s inclusion in decision-making. She explained that women work on the land from early morning until late evening and have deep knowledge of soil, water, and crops, yet their perspectives are often excluded from Panchayats.
Moreover, Champions spoke of the importance of long-term planning in village development and described how communities sometimes question the value of investing in shared resources when individual benefits are not immediately visible. They noted that alternative livelihood opportunities, such as beekeeping and agroforestry, are either not widely known or explored, and could play a role in strengthening incomes while reducing pressure on land and water. Several participants underlined the role of elected representatives. While Panchayat leaders often give limited attention to the Commons, participants agreed that strong and committed leadership can open new possibilities for collective action. Champions also observed that physical works, such as strengthening lakes or fencing grazing lands, are not sufficient on their own. Sustained results require communities to be directly involved in protecting and managing these resources.
Participants appreciated the format of the meeting, which created space for champions to speak openly. The presence of women leaders brought out gender-related dimensions that are often overlooked, while grassroots NGOs contributed practical perspectives from their work. The framing questions were considered useful, and the diversity of participants was seen as enriching the conversation.
At the same time, participants suggested areas for improvement. Future meetings could give more weight to community voices, with at least half of participants being women. Facilitators could play a stronger role in encouraging women to contribute. NGO representatives were encouraged to focus on listening to champions rather than presenting their own work. Participants also proposed that future sessions use tools such as network mapping and community-based system dynamics to better capture the relationships and factors shaping Commons governance. Collecting feedback at the end of such sessions was also recommended.
The discussions pointed to the need for stronger coordination between communities, NGOs, and government departments. Champions highlighted the value of training, peer learning, and recognition, which would help sustain their work and enable successful approaches to expand. Clearer facilitation plans and systematic planning at the village level were also identified as priorities.
The Bengaluru roundtable reaffirmed that Commons are about more than shared land and water. They are part of the social and economic reality of rural life and closely connected to governance and equity. Supporting those who work to protect them will be essential to building local institutions that are inclusive, accountable, and responsive.
Causal Loop Diagram Developed through Community-based System Dynamics: Value generated through Commons for rural communities (Source: Foundation for Ecological Security).