Experts stress community governance and sustainable resource management at closing ceremony of Chhattisgarh Commons Convening
Published on: April 10, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
Chhattisgarh Tribal Development Minister Ramvichar Netam said that the deep spiritual faith of tribal communities in nature has played a vital role in the conservation and enrichment of forests, water bodies, and ecological heritage. Addressing the closing ceremony of the two-day state-level dialogue conference ‘Chhattisgarh Commons Convening’ at the Tribal Research and Training Institute in Nava Raipur, the minister emphasized that tribal traditions consider rivers, forests, mountains, and natural elements as sacred spaces inhabited by deities.
He noted that tribal communities reside across almost all Indian states and, according to the 2011 Census, the country is home to more than 10 crore tribal citizens. Their cultural practices and belief systems, he said, have placed forest-dwelling communities at the forefront of environmental conservation.
Community Governance Central to Policy Discussions
Speaking at the concluding session, Netam stated that extensive deliberations were held on protecting and strengthening community resources. The outcomes of these discussions would be examined for their policy relevance, and the state government would work proactively to incorporate useful recommendations into governance and public welfare initiatives.
The minister announced that the state government is moving toward constituting a high-level task force to address tribal issues and strengthen natural resource management. Considering the importance of the initiative, the Chief Minister will personally chair the task force. A special implementation committee comprising senior officials from multiple departments will also be formed to ensure coordinated and time-bound execution of policy decisions.
Addressing Challenges in PESA and FRA Implementation
Netam highlighted practical challenges faced during the implementation of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA), particularly issues related to boundary demarcation. He stressed that these concerns would be addressed on priority.
Emphasizing responsibility toward shared resources, he remarked that communities are not merely users but custodians of commons, and consumption must remain limited to genuine needs. The proposed task force aims to remove administrative hurdles and ensure that tribal communities receive their rightful entitlements.
Role of Tribal Knowledge in Conservation
Principal Secretary of the Tribal Development Department Sonmani Bora stated that the task force would specifically focus on improving coordination between PESA and FRA. He underlined that tribal languages, leadership traditions, and community structures form a rich heritage contributing significantly to conservation efforts.
According to Bora, tribal communities maintain a spiritual relationship with nature, revering it as both mother and deity. From daily life rituals to funeral practices, their traditions naturally promote ecological protection and sustainable living.
Participation and Key Deliberations
More than 300 participants from Chhattisgarh and other states attended the two-day convention, including policy experts, researchers, community leaders, and village representatives. Discussions focused largely on nearly 70 lakh acres of commons land — including forests, grazing lands, and water bodies — considered lifelines for rural and tribal populations.
Bora added that initiatives such as PM Janman Yojana, Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, and Niyad Nella Nar are contributing to holistic tribal development while simultaneously promoting environmental conservation through community participation.
Experts Emphasize Collective Responsibility
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests V Srinivas Rao stressed that protection of vast forests and biodiversity is impossible without community participation, adding that forest policies in the state are regulatory rather than restrictive.
MGNREGA Commissioner Taran Prakash Sinha highlighted water conservation as an integral component of tribal culture and called for greater involvement of marginalized communities in water management through employment schemes.
Raipur Collector Gaurav Singh observed that water conservation is rooted in centuries-old community wisdom rather than complex technology.
Commons as Cultural Foundations
The conference concluded with a consensus that commons are not merely economic assets but cultural foundations of tribal life. During the event, Bora also shared plans for establishing a dedicated studio to document tribal folk songs and traditional musical instruments while ensuring copyright protection.
Distinguished participants including Nelson Mandela Award recipient Sher Singh Anchala, Padma Shri awardees Pandi Ram Mandavi and Jageshwar Yadav, Gaur Maria artist Laxmi Sori, and Indu Netam shared experiences and appealed for collective conservation efforts.
The event was successfully organized through joint efforts of the Tribal Development Department, Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), and the Foundation for Ecological Security under the Promise of Commons initiative, with collaboration from UNDP, IIT Bhilai, BRLF, Axis Bank Foundation, and other partner institutions.
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