Common Property Resources and Community Development

An enquiry on the issues and problems of Common Property Resources (CPRs) was carried out only in the rural areas of the Thamaraikulam Village of Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a well known fact that CPRs constitute all such resources which are meant for common use of the public. In the pre-British India, a very large part of the country’s natural resources was freely available to the rural population. These resources were largely under the control of the local communities. Gradually, with the extension of state control over these resources, it resulted in decay of the community management system. As a result, CPRs available to the villagers have started to decline substantially over the years. Nevertheless, CPRs still play a vital role in economy of the rural population. This book is an outcome of the research exercise done at the grassroots level. The basic ideas emanated and emerged out of the readings of the book entitled “The Tragedy of the Commons” by Garrett Hardin (1968). It is a well established fact that CPRs and its allied products play a significant role in promoting sustainable rural development and thus there is a need to understand the perception of people in management of CPRs (Olo Mola, 1993).Contents:1. Introduction, 2. CPRs Management: Theoretical Perspectives, 3. CPRs – Perception, Management and Benefits, 4. People’s perception on CPRs Management: Micro Level Study, 5. Major Findings and Conclusion, Bibliography, Index.