Context and Rationale

India’s coastal landscapes, stretching over 7,500 km, are home to some of the most diverse and ecologically significant ecosystems in the country, including mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, tidal flats, and coral atolls. These coastal commons have historically been managed through community-based stewardship systems that integrate customary norms, traditional ecological knowledge, and collective governance. Such practices have ensured the sustainable use of resources while providing vital ecosystem services, such as coastal protection, carbon sequestration, fisheries productivity, and food security, critical for the livelihoods of millions of coastal inhabitants. Coastal commons are thus not only ecological assets but also spaces that sustain cultural identity, social cohesion, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. These commons are also central to contemporary policy debates on the blue economy and climate adaptation finance, yet their value is rarely acknowledged in these frameworks.

However, these ecosystems are increasingly under threat from a complex interplay of ecological, social, and political pressures. Climate hazards compound existing pressures from development, tourism, and weak recognition of customary tenure, together undermining communities’ stewardship capacities.

In this context, the concept of coastal commons provides a critical lens for understanding the intersection of environmental conservation, social equity, and climate resilience. Coastal commons are not merely complex physical spaces; they are socio-ecological systems shaped by collective action, traditional knowledge, and place-based governance. Recognizing and supporting these commons is therefore essential for achieving sustainable development outcomes, safeguarding biodiversity, and enhancing community resilience to climate impacts.

Despite their significance, coastal commons remain largely under-represented in policy and planning. Coastal commons often fall through policy gaps, excluded both from terrestrial commons frameworks like the FRA and from marine/coastal governance regimes, leaving them in a zone of neglect.

Strengthening coastal commons requires approaches that integrate rights-based governance, climate adaptation strategies, and participatory resource management. Such approaches can help balance conservation objectives with livelihood security, ensure equitable access to resources, and maintain cultural continuity.

This session aims to explore the relevance and potential of coastal commons as critical arenas for ecological stewardship, social justice, and climate resilience. By situating coastal commons within the broader debates on governance, development, and climate adaptation, the panel seeks to highlight the need for interdisciplinary, practice-informed, and rights-based approaches. Ultimately, the discussion will underscore the importance of sustaining coastal commons not only as ecological and economic assets but also as spaces where communities can actively shape resilient and just futures in the face of environmental and socio-political change.

2. Objectives of the Panel

• To present grounded case studies of coastal commons across India, highlighting their governance systems, challenges, and resilience strategies.

• To examine the impacts of climate change, tourism, development, and state interventions on coastal communities and ecosystems.

• To interrogate the role of customary institutions, collective tenure, and gender in sustaining coastal commons.

• To identify pathways for inclusive, rights-based, and climate-resilient frameworks that support both ecological stewardship and local livelihoods.

• To foster dialogue between community practitioners, researchers, and policymakers on strengthening the governance of coastal commons.

3. Expected Outcomes

The panel aims to develop a nuanced understanding of the governance, ecological, and social dimensions of coastal commons in India. It will help identify the specific legal, policy, and institutional challenges that affect the protection, sustainable use, and equitable management of these commons, while highlighting how communities are navigating pressures from climate change, development projects, and shifting tenure regimes. Through dialogue and synthesis of interdisciplinary insights, the panel will explore strategies to strengthen community stewardship of coastal ecosystems, emphasizing rights-based approaches, participatory governance, and climate adaptation measures. It also seeks to foster cross-sectoral engagement among practitioners, researchers, legal experts, and policymakers, promoting integrated and inclusive approaches to coastal management. By the end of the session, the panel hopes to build momentum toward a collaborative agenda for the recognition, documentation, and support of coastal commons, potentially leading to joint research, advocacy campaigns, or policy interventions. Ultimately, the discussion will contribute to ILDC’s broader discourses on ecological justice, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-resilient community governance in India’s coastal zones.

4. Target Audience

Researchers, civil society organizations, legal scholars, coastal and climate activists, policy-makers, community leaders, and students engaged in coastal commons governance, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and participatory environmental management.