Governing common property resources and politics of engagement A case study of border villages in the union territory of Ladakh

Abstract

Common Property Resources (CPRs) are essential for livelihood security in fragilemountain regions. In the trans-Himalayan borderland of Ladakh, especially in the frontiervillages of Kargil district, CPR governance is influenced by environmental challenges, climatestress, militarization, and changing state-community relations after Ladakh became a UnionTerritory in 2019. While traditional commons research acknowledges that local communitiescan manage shared resources sustainably through collective institutions, it often assumespolitical stability and local autonomy. These conditions greatly change in militarized borderareas. This study examines CPR governance and community engagement in Ladakh's bordervillages by considering livelihood dependence, institutional dynamics, geopolitical influences,and sustainability issues. The study aims to achieve four interconnected goals: to map the typesof CPRs available and assess how they contribute to household livelihoods; to examine mixedgovernance structures that include traditional institutions, formal administrative bodies, andmilitary involvement; to analyze participation patterns, inequalities, power relations, andconflicts regarding access to and sharing of CPR benefits; and to identify major ecological andgeopolitical threats to CPR sustainability. The study uses a quantitative-focused mixed-methods approach. Primary data were gathered through a structured household survey of 245households in five border villages Hardas, Shilikchay, Mushkoo, Kaksar, and Darchik alongwith interviews with key informants and secondary sources. Composite indices for CPRUtilization, Politics of Engagement, Threat Perception, Governance Effectiveness, andSustainability were created using Min-Max normalization and validated through Cronbach’sAlpha. The study applied descriptive statistics, ANOVA, chi-square tests, correlation analysis,and multiple regression models for hypothesis testing. The findings show a strong reliance onCPRs, with nearly three-fourths of households depending on shared resources, particularlyglacier-fed irrigation systems, alpine pastures, and cultural commons. These resources servemainly as subsistence safety nets instead of commercial assets. Governance is characterized bya blend of institutions and fragmentation: traditional authorities maintain social legitimacy, butcentralized administrative control has grown since 2019, often limiting communityparticipation and eroding trust. The military plays a significant role as a non-civil actor inresource governance, changing access through buffer zones, surveillance, and negotiatedarrangements. The study highlights that engagement politics significantly affect CPRgovernance outcomes. Inclusive participation, community representation, and culturallyrelevant governance practices build trust, accountability, and sustainability. In contrast, securitized, top-down interventions negatively impact resource use and governanceeffectiveness. Major threats to CPR sustainability include climate-induced water scarcity,pasture degradation, tourism pressure, and land restrictions related to security. Contrary totraditional commons theory, increased threat perception leads to a decrease in CPR use ratherthan overexploitation. The study supports an integrated Geo-Political Livelihoods andGovernance (GLG) framework, emphasizing that CPR governance in border areas is shapedby power imbalances, geopolitical constraints, and institutional interactions. The studyconcludes that achieving sustainable and fair CPR management in Ladakh's border villagesneeds participatory and locally relevant governance practices that align community institutionswith administrative and security needs.