Analyze drivers for sustainable management of CPRs

Abstract

The study was undertaken in three villages in western Rajasthan, India: Govindpura/Jodhpur, Dhok/Barmer, and Damodara/Jaisalmer. The selection of sites was based on community and experts’ consultation, secondary data and geo-spatial analysis. On the basis of multiple indicators communities have been identified which are representative for the arid and vulnerable eco-regions along a rainfall gradient (annual rainfall rises from 170 mm in Jaisalmer to 280 mm in Jodhpur). Adverse weather conditions result in negative water balance for 9 to 11 months in a year and frequent droughts (every year to 2.5 years). Approximately 4 years ago in Dhok and Govindpura a new management regime was introduced for part of the community pastures as part of development projects. Nevertheless, the projects did not prevent the pastures to severely degrade. In Damodara no project was implemented and the pastures are in a severely degraded state.