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Heterogeneity and Common Pool Resources: Collective Management of Forests in Himachal Pradesh, India

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  • Sirisha C. Naidu

    (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

Abstract

This paper explores the role of group heterogeneity in collective action among forest communities in northwestern Himalayas. Based on data from 54 forest communities in Himachal Pradesh, India, this paper finds that heterogeneity has at least three dimensions: wealth, social identity and interest in the resource, and each may significantly affect collective actions related to natural resource management. However, their effects are far from simple and linear. The empirical results suggest that cooperation need not depend on caste parochialism, that very high levels of wealth heterogeneity can reduce cooperation, and that there can be a divergence between ability and incentive to cooperate which reduces the level of cooperation in the community.

Suggested Citation

  • Sirisha C. Naidu, 2005. "Heterogeneity and Common Pool Resources: Collective Management of Forests in Himachal Pradesh, India," Others 0511004, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpot:0511004
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 34.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tewathia, Nidhi, 2011. "Heterogeneity in Common Property Resource Management and its Implications," MPRA Paper 64010, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Shanshan Miao & Xueqin Zhu & Wim Heijman & Zengwei Xu & Qian Lu, 2022. "Deeds and Words: Farmers’ Attitude-Paradox in Collective Action for Small-Scale Irrigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    common pool resources; group outcomes; heterogeneity; forests; Himachal Pradesh;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry

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