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Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

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<strong>Revitalization</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rivers</strong> In <strong>India</strong><br />

<strong>Draft</strong> <strong>Policy</strong> Recommendation<br />

SUCCESS STORIES OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BY<br />

PANCHAYATS<br />

Devolution <strong>of</strong> management <strong>of</strong> natural resources has led to several cases <strong>of</strong><br />

successful management <strong>of</strong> natural resources. For example, <strong>in</strong> Maharashtra and<br />

Rajasthan, Panchayats have demonstrated successful models <strong>of</strong> land management<br />

(Box 1).<br />

BOX 1: Land management by Panchayats<br />

Hivre Bazar Panchayat <strong>in</strong> Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, has full control<br />

over the wasteland and forestland <strong>in</strong> its jurisdiction and has brought the<br />

entire area under watershed management and afforestation. It has <strong>in</strong>troduced<br />

<strong>in</strong>centives for the protection <strong>of</strong> trees and soil moisture conservation.<br />

Gopalpura Panchayat <strong>in</strong> Churu district <strong>of</strong> Rajasthan has <strong>in</strong>volved its residents<br />

<strong>in</strong> the protection <strong>of</strong> common lands and forest lands. The Panchayat opposed<br />

the grant <strong>of</strong> m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g leases on Panchayat and forest land to private entities<br />

and approached the High Court. It also prepared a land-use plan. Gopalpura<br />

Panchayat <strong>in</strong>spired people <strong>in</strong> villages <strong>of</strong> 20 Panchayats to unite and protect<br />

their common lands.<br />

Source: GoI, 2009.<br />

The Rajasthan Common Land <strong>Policy</strong>, 2010, laid down additional norms for<br />

the devolution <strong>of</strong> management <strong>of</strong> common lands to Panchayats. A Stand<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Committee for natural resource and biodiversity management has been<br />

constituted at the Gram Panchayat level and a Graz<strong>in</strong>g Land Development<br />

Committee at village/habitation level. The <strong>Policy</strong> envisages provision <strong>of</strong> ‘a ready<br />

platform for other <strong>in</strong>stitutions such as Watershed Development Committees,<br />

Graz<strong>in</strong>g Land Development Committees, Biodiversity Committees, Committees<br />

for Management <strong>of</strong> M<strong>in</strong>or Irrigation Tanks, etc. to converge and strengthen<br />

local governance <strong>of</strong> natural resources.’ Ward Sabhas are envisaged to identify<br />

community rights on the village common lands. The <strong>Policy</strong> also provides for<br />

leas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> ‘waste lands’ to Panchayats and compensation <strong>in</strong> cases where pasture<br />

lands are used for other public purposes.<br />

488 Annexures

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