Communicating issues related to land and natural resources

Abstract

Land rights and governance are central to the livelihood of most people in rural India. They determine the allocation and efficient use of the scarce natural resources. Any attempt by the government to assign lands-either private or public -for development or other purposes generally results in conflicts. While some actions get accepted over time, others escalate into law and order issues. Even when the actions of the government are genuinely in the interests of the people, lack of a two-way communication between the government and the stakeholders does lead to unnecessary confrontation. This chapter looks at the challenges in disseminating information on land-related issues through three case studies-first, the diversion of public lands in Karnataka for research and development institutions; second, the acquisition of private lands for industrial growth by the government in West Bengal; and the third, allocation of private and public lands to extract minerals for mining projects in Odisha. All these cases reveal the appalling lack of communication between the government and the local stakeholders resulting in avoidable agitations and judicial disputes. The courts feel that such disputes have to be settled amicably between the contending parties, in the interest of long-term peace and harmony. If there has to be an amicable settlement, the parties have to discuss the issues in public and negotiate-for which information is the key requirement.