A new brief jointly developed by the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) and Common Ground, titled "Economic Valuation of Land Commons in Jharkhand," was unveiled at the recently held Conference of Panchayats (COP) 2.0 in Ranchi.

Land commons are shared resources accessible to all community members, including forests, pastures, and uncultivated lands. These resources provide vital ecosystem services, supporting the livelihoods of billions globally.

The brief calls for the urgent need to incorporate the economic value of land commons into policy-making and land acquisition processes to ensure sustainable management and protection of these crucial resources.

The COP2.0, organised by Asar, Policy and Development Advisory Group (PDAG), and Damodar Bachao Andolan, focused on strengthening decentralised governance and the critical role that Panchayats and Panchayati Raj Institutions can play in advancing hyper-local climate action plans. This state-level consultation united key stakeholders from local, regional, and national levels to discuss proactive measures and collaborative pathways to champion locally-led climate actions.

The brief draws on data and insights from the paper, ‘Valuing Ecosystem Services Provided by Land Commons in India: Implications for Research and Policy’, by Harpinder Sandhu et al., published in Environmental Research Letters.

Jharkhand, with its heavy reliance on agriculture and natural resources, is one of the eight states across the country that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including most of its 24 districts. The state's economy and society are closely tied to its natural resources, agriculture, and forests, making it particularly vulnerable to changes in climatic patterns.

Key findings from the brief include:

Total Land Commons Area: Jharkhand is home to approximately 4.6 million hectares of land commons, which play a vital role in supporting the rural economy and maintaining ecological balance.

Annual Economic Value: The total economic value of these land commons is estimated at $ 4.6 billion (₹377,200 crore) annually, derived from various ecosystem services.

Ecosystem Services Breakdown:

Provisioning Services (e.g., fuelwood, fodder, water): $ 891.81 (₹65,412) per hectare annually.

Regulating Services (e.g., climate regulation, soil fertility): $ 827.74 (₹60,739) per hectare annually.

Supporting Services (e.g., soil formation, habitat provision): $ 328.27 (₹24,071) per hectare annually.

Cultural Services (e.g., spiritual and recreational benefits): $ 60.79 (₹4,457) per hectare annually.

The brief highlights the pressing threats to these commons, including overuse, degradation, and inadequate governance, which lead to the loss of valuable ecosystem services and negatively impact the livelihoods of millions. It underscores the importance of legal and institutional reforms, sustainable management practices, and community-based management to safeguard these lands.

Moreover, the brief advocates for the integration of the economic value of land commons into state accounts and policy decisions, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring the well-being of future generations.

This brief is an important resource for policymakers, environmentalists, and community leaders, urging them to recognise and protect the socio-ecological and economic values of Jharkhand’s land commons.