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Socio Cultural Anthropology (A. Ashok, P. v. Lakshmaiah) - 53

The document discusses the role of ecological anthropology in addressing global environmental problems and sustainable development. It highlights successful examples of sustainable resource management among small-scale cultivators and critiques state policies that lead to the 'tragedy of enclosure.' The text emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and community organization in maintaining sustainable practices in agriculture and resource management.

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12 views1 page

Socio Cultural Anthropology (A. Ashok, P. v. Lakshmaiah) - 53

The document discusses the role of ecological anthropology in addressing global environmental problems and sustainable development. It highlights successful examples of sustainable resource management among small-scale cultivators and critiques state policies that lead to the 'tragedy of enclosure.' The text emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and community organization in maintaining sustainable practices in agriculture and resource management.

Uploaded by

boyavarshajyothi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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I (Brandies of J^ntfiropofogy 45

and butter for consumption. Holy status protects cattle from consumption as
meat and saves them for supporting grain cultivation.
Contributions to the study of Global Environmental Problems
Current awareness of global environmental problems is drawing ecological
anthropology into multi-disciplinary debates over 'sustainable development'.
The rapid destruction of tropical forests, grazing lands, coastal fisheries, etc.,
has stimulated interest in the 'tragedy of the commons', a model asserting that
resources held in common ownership are inevitably overused and degraded by
people pursuing their individual interests. However,ethnographic examples of
sustainable common resource management in many regions of the world
challenge this model.
For example, Swiss alpine villagers have for centuries successfully
managed and conserved meadows,forest and irrigation as common resources.
As regards long-term sustainability, small scale cultivators in many parts of the
world have created efficient, flexible and sustainable farming systems. Within a
single ethnic group, they may establish different patterns of household
composition and community organization, depending on their local niches.
Contrary to many theories predicting the rapid demise of the world's
peasants,small holders not only endure but may have much to teach concerning
flexible and sustainable uses of the land (Netting 1993). Small farmers are neither
simply producers nor victims of environmental crises, for some of them are able
to protect both family and community lands. However,state policies compelling
the division of common resources lead to the 'tragedy of enclosure'.
Privatization of grazing lands deprives herds of flexible access to seasonal
pastures in climatically variable settings, undermining pastoral adaptations.
Forests were turned over to commercial loggers leaving local farmers deprived
of fuel, fodder and other resources,sometimes triggering resistance movements
(Guha 1989). Irrigated farming entails the dangers of overuse, conflict and
depletion of water supplies. Some systems of irrigation management, such as
Balinese water temples, have endured for centuries.

In the absence of a hydraulic bureaucracy, these temples coordinate entire


watersheds; yet they were invisible to colonial and post-colonial rulers because
they were categorized as'religious'institutions (Lansing 1991). In South India,
farmers organized water-user associations to counter the problems and
uncertainties resulting from bureaucratic canal management. In both cases,local

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