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Elinor Ostrom’s Common Pool Resources (CPR) principle recommends the incorporation of traditional knowledge to locally manage coastal commons using the UNESCO World Heritage Convention Cultural Landscape framework.
Fishing communities in India, follow the customary rights of their communities represented by a self-governing body called Panchayat. They help with internal conflict resolutions and decision making for the community well-being.
In Kottivakkam Kuppam there are two separate Village Panchayats within it, it is represented by a Government Panchayat (Local Govt. representative) which is different from the Traditional Fishing Panchayat. Unique to fishing communities is the self governance model wherein resource pooling and fair share of distribution is adhered to as a code of conduct.
Similarly Kottivakkam Kuppam exhibits characteristics of Common Pool Resources.
What is the Cultural Landscape Management Framework?
By documenting the socio-spatial interactions of fishing communities with their commons, the paper concludes that adopting such a framework not only safeguards the ecosystem but also encourages governments and visitors to engage with the landscape in a responsible manner. Recommendations include participatory tools, governance and sustainable livelihood models and programming components to address the complex challenges of coastal communities in Indian cities where livelihood spaces lock horns with elitist views of ‘beach beautification’ and ‘development’.
ROLE OF WOMEN IN SUSTAINABLE COMMONS MANAGEMENT Potential for Eco Livelihoods, Resource monitoring and Food Security
In many global case studies, the important role fisherwomen can play in sustainable landscape management has been well established. In many cases, women do not have easy access to marketplaces in many neighbourhoods— they often walk several kilometres to market their products.[20] In Kottivakkam, women also suggested having a market in walkable distance from their home.
Some important roles of women in fishing and coastal management include:
Mediators within the communities
Sales and preparation of fish and shrimps
Net making and Drying
Practice of Resource pooling and Monitoring (self-help groups)
Knowledge of fish species
Eco-Tourism and Co-operatives
Read more: India's First and Only Fisherwomen with a license
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