The Critical Role of Village Commons in India's Rural Development
The Economic Survey 2025-26 has issued a stark warning about a persistent but often overlooked economic challenge facing rural India: the steady degradation of village commons. Amid extensive discussions on fiscal policy and industrial growth, the survey highlights how years of neglect and erosion of these shared natural resources are significantly weighing on rural livelihoods and farm productivity.
Understanding Village Commons and Their Extensive Reach
Village commons, as defined by the National Sample Survey Organisation, encompass community-managed grazing lands, ponds, water bodies, and other shared natural resources. These commons constitute approximately 15% of India's geographical area, covering roughly 66 million hectares according to the 2011 Census. These biodiversity-rich ecosystems provide essential services that support the daily lives of nearly 350 million rural people.
The ecosystem services delivered by village commons include:
- Provision of food, fodder, fuelwood, timber, organic manure, and seeds
- Water purification and groundwater recharge capabilities
- Soil conservation and erosion prevention
- Carbon sequestration and climate regulation
- Flood control and microclimate moderation
These resources generate an estimated annual economic value of about $90.5 million while contributing significantly to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental protection.
Why Commons Revival is Essential for Rural Economic Stability
Reviving village commons has become increasingly central to rural economic stability and agricultural productivity. These shared resources meet the daily needs of millions of households, with particular importance for small farmers, landless laborers, and women who depend on commons for fodder, fuel, and water.
"Reviving village common land is critically important, as nearly 25% of the income of landless farmers comes from these resources," emphasized Lakhwinder Singh, professor of economics at Thapar University. "In their absence, farmers are forced to travel long distances, leading to a loss of both time and productive labor."
Healthy commons support agriculture through multiple mechanisms:
- Groundwater recharge that ensures water availability
- Improved soil fertility and structure
- Erosion prevention that protects agricultural land
- Microclimate moderation that buffers against extreme weather
These benefits collectively lower cultivation costs, stabilize yields, and improve farmers' resilience to climate variability, droughts, and floods. Conversely, degraded commons intensify rural distress by raising costs and reducing productivity.
Vijay Kuzur, a social activist from Jharkhand, noted: "Reviving Common Property Resources can also generate local employment through restoration activities such as pond rejuvenation, pasture development, and renewable energy projects, while strengthening community institutions and participatory governance."
Government Initiatives for Commons Restoration
Recognizing the social and economic costs of degraded commons, the government has implemented multiple initiatives aimed at restoration:
- Mission Amrit Sarovar: Focused on rejuvenating village water bodies
- SVAMITVA Yojana: Survey and mapping of village commons using improvised technology
- Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies: Part of PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain: National water conservation campaign
These programs, combined with GIS-based registries and capacity-building efforts, aim to arrest degradation and enable systematic rejuvenation of village commons across India.
Pathways to Sustainable Revival
Sustainable revival of village commons requires coordinated action by governments and local communities through several key approaches:
First, formal recognition and categorization: Commons need to be formally recognized as a distinct land-use category with sub-categories that allow accurate assessment, monitoring, and targeted policy intervention. States like Karnataka and Rajasthan offer examples of multi-tier institutional frameworks that effectively map and document common natural resources.
Second, community participation and technological integration: Effective utilization can be strengthened through community participation, solarization, and sewage treatment facilities that convert village waste, including plastic, into usable resources. These measures address environmental degradation while restoring the livelihood functions of commons.
Third, capacity building and governance strengthening: Structured training for local body officials is critical to equip rural administrators with the skills needed for participatory and sustainable management of common property resources. This includes developing governance frameworks that ensure equitable access and sustainable use.
The revival of village commons represents more than just environmental restoration—it is fundamentally about securing rural livelihoods, enhancing agricultural productivity, and building climate resilience. As India continues its development journey, protecting and restoring these shared resources will be essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth across rural communities.
