An inquiry into collective action and sustainable participatory watershed management: evidence from Southern India

摘要

Policies of devolution have been widely adopted in both developing and developed countries. This study investigates how the devolutionary policies ensure collective action in watershed management. It examines the factors that affect collective participation in watershed management and how collective action changes once the state withdraws and hands control over management to village panchayats (local governments) and other groups. The analysis of factors that influence ongoing maintenance of watershed structures indicates that collective action emerges when user groups are small and homogenous and communities are dependent on a large number of wells. Further, greater success is likely where user groups have more knowledge and control over funds available for maintenance activities after the state withdraws.