The
village commons - pastures, forests, grazing grounds, form the
life-support system of the community. Pastures, grazing grounds
and forests provide the only sustenance for the poorest people
including women, dalits, landless - food, fuel, fodder, fertiliser,
medicine, income from forest produce, material for shelter.
The British labeled the village commons as `wastelands’.
The Indian Government is today continuing to treat as
`wasteland’ rather than as the life-support base of millions
of Indians, and is allowing the privatisation of these commons
in the name of `wasteland development’ .
Common lands
such as pastures and grazing lands are being handed over
to rich landlords and corporations. Data shows that 50 to
80% of privatised commons in different states have
gone to the people who already have relatively more land.
Corporations
are being given leases on village commons for producing
export crops and industrial raw material.
Conservation
areas are being dereserved, and sold to corporations for
mining, for ports.
Huge commercial
forestry projects (teak, eucalyptus, etc.) that deplete
the land and further alienate the poor are being passed
off as Reforestation and afforestation schemes for village
commons.
Actions
reclaim and
recover the commons.
Uproot fences
around commons installed to keep people and cattle out.
Erect signboards saying the commons, pastures and forests
are the common property of the village community
Organise Van
Panchayats for rejuvenating the commons with indigenous
species for water conservation, fodder, firewood, food,
timber, medicinal plants.
Hold Lok Adalats
to try cases of private appropriation of commons.
