The agenda available is as on 26th August 2024, and is being updated as we approach the convening. The final agenda will be available at the event.

9:00 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 10:30
Opening Ceremony
10:30 - 11:45
Plenary 1.1 Changemakers for Commons: Celebrating and Learning from their Journeys

This session showcases community leaders who blend local wisdom with modern practices to protect and conserve shared environments. Learn how they use local knowledge, foster collective action, and balance conservation with community needs. Discover insights for living in balance with nature and building resilient communities.

Speakers

Anup Ranjan Pandey, Chhattisgarh

Chami Murmu, Jharkhand

Devaji Tofa, Maharashtra

Jishudan Dishari, Odisha

Sarjubai Meena, Rajasthan

Usha Rajagopalan, Karnataka

Y Nuklu Phom, Nagaland

Moderator: Sudarshan Iyengar, Chairperson, Foundation for Ecological Security; Scholar of Gandhian Studies and Former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith

11:45 - 12:15
Coffee Break & Networking
12:15 - 13:30
Plenary 1.2 Leaving No One Behind: Catalysing Commons for SDG Acceleration

Contextualising the management and restoration of Commons within the SDGs framework highlights the interconnected nature of sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasise inclusivity and the principle of ‘Leave No One Behind’. The SDGs framework is integral to guiding evidencebased decision-making on development at both national and subnational levels. The session will emphasise the need for coordinated strategies to tackle climate change, social justice, and poverty alleviation through effective governance of the Commons. It will also explore the possibilities of including indicators that highlight key data on commons and impact on the SDGs in the current National Indicator Framework.

Speakers

Dinesh Marothia, President, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics

Muniraju S.B., Deputy Advisor, NITI Aayog

Rajesh S, IFS, Inspector General of Forest, MoEFCC

Ranjan Kumar Ghosh, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

Zeenat Niazi, Chief Advisor, Circular Economy and Climate Resilience Programs, Development Alternatives

Moderator: Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP

13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
14:30 - 15:45
Panel 1.1 A Community Forestry: The Missing Link in SDG Pathways?

India’s community forest management, supported by the Forest Rights Act 2006, acknowledges customary rights and village governance. However, governance methods and integration with SDGs need further exploration. This session aims to address how to link community forestry with SDGs, focusing on core concerns, responsibilities among different actors, and necessary processes. It will also explore the need for formalising these processes through directives from relevant ministries and potential amendments to existing laws.

Speakers

Abhinandan Saikia, Professor, TISS Guwahati

Arvind K. Jha, IFS, Former PCCF & DG (Social Forestry), Maharashtra

A B Ota, IAS (Retd), Director and Special Secretary, SCSTRTI & Odisha State Tribal Museum, Odisha

Tushar Dash, Independent Researcher, Odisha

Moderator: Geetanjoy Sahu, Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

14:30 - 15:45
Panel 1.1 B Commoning Governance of Surface & Groundwater: How Can This Address the SDGs?

The session aims to foster deliberation on different aspects of water governance, including the critical role of community stewardship, knowledge systems of local communities, the embeddedness of water in the ecosystem, and the desired shifts in policies and programmes to enable commoning. The discussions will highlight various initiatives towards commoning in practice, research, and policy and explore pathways for strengthening governance of water as commons towards addressing the various SDGs.

Speakers

Bishwadeep Ghose, Managing Trustee, Water for People

K. J. Joy, Senior Fellow, Society for Participating Ecosystem Management (SOPPECOM)

Pratul Saxena, Project Director, Atal Bhujal Yojana

Shraman Jha, Chief Executive Officer, Hindustan Unilever Foundation

Moderator: Anuj Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Arghyam

14:30 - 15:45
Panel 1.1 C Area-Based Planning through Public Systems: A Way to Address SDGs at the Landscape-Scale

This session explores the potential of area-based planning in rural India as a powerful tool to address Sustainable Development Goals at the landscape scale. By tailoring strategies to the unique needs of distinct regions, area-based planning can drive localised progress, promote equitable resource distribution, and address climate change vulnerabilities. The session will highlight the significance of this approach, identify roadblocks, and discuss opportunities for integrating SDGs into public systems. Panelists will explore institutional frameworks and financing options to promote agroecology-based green local economies and foster collaborative action

Speakers

Ashwin Kulkarni, Director and Founder Trustee, Pragati Abhiyan

Nitin Khade, IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Land Resources

Prashant Armorikar, Director, Watershed Development, National Rainfed Area Authority

Rabindra Kumar Singh, IFS (Retd.), Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, Chhattisgarh

Venkatesh Tagat, Former Chief General Manager, NABARD

Moderator: Sudarshan Iyengar, Chairperson, Foundation for Ecological Security; Scholar of Gandhian Studies and Former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith

14:30 - 15:45
Panel 1.1 D Connecting Climate Action and Commons: Policy Pathways, Opportunities, and Challenges

This session will focus on climate change from a policy perspective, with an emphasis on climate actions, Nationally Determined Contributions, and the management of commons. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives on the commons, the discussion aims to enrich the climate discourse, especially as action agendas and financing strategies gain prominence both globally and locally. The session will bring together key stakeholders to explore these intersections within the Indian context. The goal is to highlight how these issues can be prioritised in policy-making, practice, academic research, and corporate governance agendas.

Speakers

Abhishek Jain, Director, Powering Livelihoods, Council on Energy, Environment and Water

Haripriya Gundimeda, Professor, IIT Bombay

Kumar Sambhav, Founder and Director, Land Conflict Watch

Ruchika Singh, Executive Program Director, Food, Land and Water, World Resources Institute India

Shailesh Nagar, Partner, Intellecap

Chair: Nitin Desai, Former Member of the Planning Commission; Former Under Secretary General, Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations

14:30 - 15:45
Panel 1.1 E Leveraging Data and Technology for Community-led Governance of Commons

This is the first session in a series of three on leveraging technology for community-led governance of the Commons. It aims to set out the ambition of what data/tech designed with communities for inclusive socialecological governance can look like. The panel will explore how information systems can accurately reflect local contexts and spur widespread civic action. It will further explore why principles of openness and shared ownership are essential for information systems.

Speakers

Ashwin Viswanath, Nature Conservation Foundation

Sarah Mishra, Senior Director, Reap Benefit Foundation

Shivangi Somvanshi, Center Head, Center for Applied Geomatics, CEPT Research & Development Foundation

S.K. Jha, Professor, IIT Bombay

Moderator: Aaditeshwar Seth, Professor, IIT Delhi

15:45 - 16:15
Coffee Break & Networking
16:15 - 17:30
Plenary 1.3 Women’s Leadership for Commons

This session focuses on women as equal citizens in envisioning and stewarding the future of Commons. We aim to delve into systemic barriers and historic gender inequity perpetuating denial of women the access to land rights, participation in resource and political governance, but most importantly, recognition of them as essential stewards of Commons ecosystems, beyond the users of these resources. The outcome of this session is to inform the Commons discourse on the need to embrace women’s leadership for Commons through identifying systemic policy opportunities and building partnerships for continuous engagement and action to advance women’s decision making around Commons.

Speakers

Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder, Mann Deshi Foundation & Mann Deshi Mahila Bank

Pradeep Mohan Chavan, Community Conservation Expert, Kalpavriksh

Shivani Gupta, Co-CEO, Womanity Foundation

Soma Kishore Parthasarathy, Independent Researcher and Policy Analyst

Moderator: Kanchi Kohli, Research and Educator

17:30 - 17:45
Launch of Publication “Our Commons”

9:00 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 11:15
Plenary 2.1 Connecting Samaaj, Sarkaar, Bazaar

This session will explore the need for a paradigm shift from top-down governance to community-led solutions to address global systemic failures. As global governance, financial systems, and geopolitical structures break down, the session will explore the importance of local, community-based governance to tackle issues like inequality, environmental degradation, and social disharmony. The discussion will cover aspects associated with an “unlearning” of siloed, unsystematic approaches and highlight the crucial role of strengthening local governance and community collaboration to realise the potential of Commons.

Speakers

Jahnvi Andharia, Director and Research Fellow, Institute of Social Studies Trust

Mekhala Krishnamurthy, Professor, Ashoka University

Thomas Isaac, Former Finance Minister, Kerala

Chair: Arun Maira, Former Member, Planning Commission of India; Former Chairman, Boston Consulting Group, India

11:15 - 11:45
Coffee Break & Networking
11:45 - 13:00
Roundtable 2.1 A Collaborating for FRA: Lessons from States
Speakers

A B Ota, IAS (Retd), Director and Special Secretary, SCSTRTI & Odisha State Tribal Museum, Odisha

Ashmita Kabra, Professor, Dr. Ambedkar University, Delhi

Chetna Latkar, BRLF

Manjeet Bal, Senior Programme Manager, Foundation for Ecological Security

Michael Islary, Senior Program Associate, World Resources Institute India

Rajendra Bharud, IAS, Commissioner, Tribal Research and Training Institute, Government of Maharashtra

Milind Thatte, Founder Director, TEER Foundation

Johnson Topno, Executive Director, PHIA Foundation

Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Deputy Director, TRTI, Odisha

Moderator: Sreetama Guptabhaya, UNDP

11:45 - 13:00
Panel 2.1 B Landscape Governance Partnerships: Role of MultiActor Platforms

This session introduces the Multi-Actor Platform (MAP) model as one approach to collaborative landscape governance, bridging critical gaps between community, government, and market actors. Panelists, who are also conveners of such initiatives, will explore how MAPs facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders and address the unique challenges of sustaining these initiatives. Join us to help build a community of practice working on collaborative approaches to landscape governance, exchanging lessons, experiences and innovations.

Speakers

Akshay Roongta, Co-founder and Partner, Ooloi Labs

Dhammasheel Ganvir, IFS, Chhattisgarh Forest Department and Director, Jungle Safari, Raipur

Madhuri Mondal, Senior Programme Officer, Dakshin Foundation

Pramel Gupta, National Anchor, National Coalition for Natural Farming

Swapna Sarangi, General Manager, Foundation for Ecological Security

Moderator: Blake Ratner, Collaboration for Resilience

11:45 - 13:00
Roundtable 2.1 C Collaboration for NTFP Value Chains: Challenges & Opportunities

This workshop will explore the potential of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to enhance the livelihoods of tribal women and contribute to inclusive economies. The session will examine the challenges faced by the NTFP sector, such as resource depletion, poor market linkages, and policy complexities. Participants will discuss innovative approaches and institutional models for public-private partnerships, aiming to strengthen the sector and improve income resilience in regenerative landscapes. The outcome will focus on actionable insights for leveraging NTFPs to build inclusive and sustainable economies

Speakers

Workshop anchored by Vrutti and Common Ground for a curated group

Moderator: Shiv Kumar, Co-founder, Catalyst Management Systems

11:45 - 13:00
Workshop 2.1 D Leveraging Data and Technology for Communityled Governance of Commons (Part I)

The workshops (Parts I and II) explore how technology and data infrastructure can empower communities with access to relevant information for local action on Commons. While many initiatives exist, they remain isolated or small-scale. We aim to identify open-source solutions and infrastructures that allow diverse actors across sectors to contribute and cocreate context-appropriate tools. The workshops will focus on empowering communities with knowledge, designing community-centric data tools, and developing a collaborative open ecosystem for locally-led, context-based planning and action on a larger scale.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by IIT Delhi, Platform Commons, Landstack and Common Ground

13:00- 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:15
Panel 2.2 A Bringing Back the Focus on Area-based Planning: Reimagining the Building Blocks

This session focuses on reimagining area-based planning to address climate change and the specific needs of different agroecological contexts. Building on the previous day’s discussions, the session will explore how to reintegrate area-based planning into current policies, programs, and funding streams, including CSR and impact finance. Focussing on inter-departmental coordination and agroecological alignment, the discussion will aim to establish a collaborative framework for implementing area-based approaches, paving the way for sustainable development and resilient landscapes.

Speakers

Abi Tamim Vanak, Director, Centre for Policy Design, ATREE

Aruna Pandey, Head – Research, MEL and Capacity Building, Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation

NC Narayanan, Professor, Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas, IIT Bombay

Raghunathan Naryanan, Founder and Chief Mentor, Vrutti

Rajesh Mit, Integrator, PRADAN

Moderator: Sudarshan Iyengar, Scholar of Gandhian Studies and Former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith

14:00 - 15:15
Panel 2.2 B Strengthening the Custodianship of Gram Panchayats over Community Resources

This panel examines the critical role of Panchayats in managing natural resources, exploring strategies to strengthen their effectiveness as local governments. Discussion will focus on leveraging existing mechanisms, enhancing financial autonomy, fostering inter-institutional collaborations, and improving community engagement. The aim is to empower Panchayats as accountable custodians of resources, in line with constitutional vision and sustainable development goals.

Speakers

Abhay Kumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Rajasthan

Uma Mahadevan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department, Karnataka

Vikas Anand, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India

Santosh Kumar Satapathy, IAS (Retd.), Chief Advisor to the Governor of Odisha

Moderator: SM Vijayanand, IAS (Retd.), Former Chief Secretary to the Government of Kerala

14:00 - 15:15
Panel 2.2 C Financing Innovations for Landscape Climate Action: Lessons, Leverage Points, and Challenges

Are top-down climate finance models failing local communities? Can traditional knowledge systems revolutionise existing market-based instruments? This session will explore innovative funding mechanisms, analyse successful grassroots initiatives, and craft strategies to support local communities in shaping climate pathways.

Speakers

Kavita Mehta, Executive Director, Sahjeevan

Pooja Trivedi, Lead, Collaboratives, Catalyst Group

Siddhartha Dhabi, Co-Founder, Centre for Grower-centric Eco-value Mechanisms

Sreejan Dutta, Manager (Venture Philantrophy), LGT Wealth India

Tambor Lyngdoh, Founding Chairman, Synjuk

Varghese Paul, USAID

Moderator: Jinu George, ClimateRISE

14:00 - 15:15
Workshop 2.2 D Freshwater Futures: Pathways to Collective Conservation Action

This workshop aims to strengthen freshwater ecosystem (FWE) conservation in India by fostering crosssectoral collaboration and integrating diverse perspectives. Beginning with an introduction to the Alliance for Conserving Freshwater Ecosystems and its vision, FWEs will be contextualised within the larger narrative of ecosystem conservation, restoration, and management, along with connected thematic areas.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by the Alliance for Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems

15:45 - 17:00
Panel 2.3 A Community Stewardship and Indigenous Knowledge: The Way Ahead

This panel explores community stewardship models and their recognition gaps, strategies to increase state and market acknowledgment, barriers to climate finance, and pathways for integrating indigenous knowledge in conservation. It examines current challenges in community-led environmental efforts, proposing solutions to enhance support, funding, and inclusion of traditional practices in policy-making and implementation.

Speakers

Amba Jamir, Independent Researcher

Dimgong Rongmei, Executive Director, Realm of Nature Based Actions

Gazala Paul, Executive Director, Samerth Trust

Pravanjan Mohapatra, Principal, Intellecap

Tushar Dash, Independent Researcher

Moderator: Pranab Ranjan Choudhury, CEO and Cofounder, Landstack

15:45 - 17:00
Panel 2.3 B Agri Land Commons: Gramdan

The session will explore the challenges and opportunities of the Gramdan Act in promoting village autonomy and collective land ownership. It will examine how the Act can be revitalized in the current legal and social landscape.

Speakers

Devaji Tofa, Community Leader, Mendha Lekha

Mithu Lal Gurjar, Gramdan Adhyaksh, Gangrar, Rajasthan

Mohan Hirabhai Hiralal, Consultant

Parag Cholkar, Trustee, Vidarbha Bhoodan Gramdan Sahayog Samiti

Satish Gogulwar, Founder Trustee and Convener, Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi

Moderator: Sudarshan Iyengar, Scholar of Gandhian Studies and Former Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith

15:45 - 17:00
Panel 2.3 C Landscapes and Farming Systems Interactions

Does addressing the complex challenges faced by smallholder farmers require a systems approach, rather than focusing solely on individual farm parcels? How do we strengthen institutional arrangements and enhance the capacities of bodies like Gram Panchayats to tackle these issues from a systems perspective? How do we foster strong collaborative actions to influence policy and seize emerging opportunities? Join us to express, explore, and engage in finding scalable solutions.

Speakers

Aniruddha Brahmachari, Rainforest Alliance

Archana Chatterjee, Mangroves for the Future National Coordinator, IUCN India

Archana Singh, Integrator, PRADAN

Prashant Mehra, Co-founder, Platform Commons Foundation

Sabyasachi Das, Director, WASSAN

Moderator: Pramel Gupta, National Anchor & CEO, National Coalition for Natural Farming

15:45 - 17:00
Panel 2.3 D Extensive Livestock Systems in India: Opportunities and Challenges

India’s livestock production, dominated by extensive systems including pastoral and agro-pastoral methods, plays a crucial role in the country’s agricultural output. These systems, characterised by efficient use of diverse grazing resources and crop residues, demonstrate lowcarbon, flexible, and cost-effective production. Despite misconceptions about efficiency, these methods offer significant benefits that warrant further evidence-based recognition.

Speakers

Balaram Sahu, Pathe Pathshala

Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, Co-founder, Camel Charisma

Purushottam Sharma, Head, Division of Plant Animal Relationship ICAR-lGFRl, Jhansi

Natasha Maru, Global Lead for Rangelands and Pastoralists, International Land Coalition

Purnendu Kavoori, Founder, Centre for Social Ecology

Moderator: Bhavana Rao, Senior Consultant. FES and Coordinator Rainfed Livestock Network

9:00 - 10:00
Registration
10:00 - 11:15
Panel 3.1 A Reimagining Wastelands as Commons: Evolving Discourse, Transitions, Implications

This session aims to explore the narratives are perceptions around wastelands and trigger deliberations around their re-imagination as commons. It expects to identify existing gaps and challenges that result in these continued narratives and analyse how these narratives require transformation in the changing contexts, and whether and how they align around local communities. As a way forward, the session would attempt to see if wastelands can provide win-win solutions for economy, conservation, and community needs.

Speakers

Abi Vanak, Director, Centre for Policy Design, ATREE

Kunal Satyarthi, IFS, Joint Secretary, Department of Land Resources

Nivedita Haran, Chairperson, Ente Bhoomi Trust and CMID

Rajiv Pandey, Head, Division of Forestry Statistics, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education

SB Dangayach, Founder Trustee, Innovative Thought Forum

Moderator: Anu Verma, Asia Regional Coordinator, International Land Coalition

10:00 - 11:15
Panel 3.1 B Evolving Land Use and Governance Frameworks of Pasture Commons

The session will highlight the status and significance of pasture commons, reiterating the need to ensure community-led restoration and governance of these resources, and bringing to fore the land use and governance framework evolving in different parts of India. The session aims to explore the innovative governance mechanisms that would help in meeting the needs of local communities, ensure the conservation of pastures, and balance competing land use interests

Speakers

Pradeep Sharma, Pradeep Sharma, CMO, Chhattisgarh

P. Vivekandan, Co-chair, Regional IYRP Support Group (RISG) South Asia

Shailendra Tiwari, Seva Mandir

Shilpa Nag, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, District Chamrajnagar

Moderator: Bhavana Rao, Senior Research Fellow, Foundation for Ecological Security

10:00 - 11:15
Workshop 3.1 C Leveraging Data and Technology for Communityled Governance of Commons (Part II)

The workshops (Parts I and II) explore how technology and data infrastructure can empower communities with access to information for local action on Commons. While many initiatives exist, they remain isolated or small-scale. We aim to identify open-source solutions and infrastructures that allow diverse actors across sectors to contribute and cocreate context-appropriate tools. The workshops will focus on empowering communities with knowledge, designing community-centric data tools, and developing a collaborative open ecosystem for locallyled, context-based planning and action.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by IIT Delhi, Platform Commons, Landstack and Common Ground

10:00 - 11:15
Workshop 3.1 D Strengthening Social Accountability for the Commons

Shared ownership and governance of commons offer communities a chance to address environmental degradation, inequality, and identity issues. This workshop will examine the challenges in securing rights over commons, focusing on transparency, accountability, and mechanisms to ensure community participation. By building on the Bhilwara Framework for Accountability, this workshop seeks to empower marginalized groups, enhance public scrutiny, and strengthen the governance of commons through community-led efforts and social accountability tools.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by Social Accountability Forum for Action and Research and Foundation for Ecological Security

10:00 - 11:15
Workshop 3.1 E Strategic Communications: How Can We Make Commons Everyone’s Business? (Part I)

This 150-minute workshop will focus on creating a strategic communication roadmap to foreground the Commons as a public priority. Participants, including civil society leaders, journalists, and communication specialists, will explore how to shift public perspectives and engage diverse audiences in the discourse on the protection and preservation of Commons. Through in-depth discussions, working groups will identify challenges, opportunities, and innovative approaches to better communicate the significance of Commons. The workshop’s key takeaway will be the creation of actionable big ideas and strategic plans aimed at enhancing public understanding and policy engagement around the critical role of Commons.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by Common Ground and Foundation for Ecological Security

11:15 - 11:45
Coffee Break & Networking
11:45 - 13:00
Panel 3.2 A Community Conserved Areas: A Commoning Movement

This session will explore mechanisms to enhance the understanding and narrative around the critical role Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) play in biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the contributions of local communities in safeguarding ecosystems. It will also address the need for formal recognition of CCAs within governance frameworks, focusing on how to integrate it into policy, ensuring sustainable conservation and equitable resource management.

Speakers

Amba Jamir, Policy and Development Strategist

Arnab Bose, Nature’s Foster

Heirang Lunglang, Chairperson, Nagaland Community Conserved Areas Forum

Mayalmit Lepcha, Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Women’s Association

Moderator: Pia Sethi, Senior Fellow, Centre for Ecology Development and Research

11:45 - 13:00
Panel 3.2 B Coastal Commons: Pathways for Coordinated Action

This panel will discuss the impact of emerging blue economy agendas on coastal communities. Panellists will examine the complex world of India’s coastal commons, their diverse ecosystems, multi-layered governance, equity issues and propose pathways for sustainable, inclusive management of these vital resources.

Speakers

Aarthi Sridhar, Founder Trustee and Programme Head, Dakshin Foundation

Amalendu Jyotishi, Professor, Azim Premji University

Jenia Mukherjee, Professor, IIT Kharagpur

Sebastiao Rodrigues, National Council member, National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers

Supriya Vohra, Independent Journalist and Writer

Tara Nair, Director (Research), Work Fair and Free Foundation

Venugopal, Member, International Collective in Support of Fishworkers

V. Vivekanandan, Director, FishMARC at Vrutti

Moderator: Sisir Kanta Pradhan, Common Ground

11:45 - 13:00
Roundtable 3.2 C Emerging Areas for Research and Learning on Commons

This session will focus on consolidating insights, learnings, gaps, and opportunities for research on the Commons, drawing from ongoing initiatives and discussions from the convening. It will concentrate on pathways to translate research into strategic, collaborative action for the Commons

Speakers

Roundtable organised by the Collaborating for Resilience and Foundation for Ecological Security

11:45 - 13:00
Panel 3.2 D Aligning Planetary Health with Human Health: The One Health Initiative

This session aims to explore the intersection of Commons-centric approaches and the One Health framework in building sustainable ecosystems. It will examine how efforts can collaborate to address climate change-related challenges like zoonotic diseases, food, water, and nutritional security. Discussions will focus on how to operationalize One Health at the community level, the role of village commons, and actions needed to facilitate synergies between human, animal, and environmental health for resilience.

Speakers

Pavitra Vasudevan, Program Officer, Dakshin Foundation

Shreelata Rao Seshadri, Professor and Director, PHFI

Sumitra Gagrai, District Manager, Ekjut Foundation

Tanya Seshadri, Faculty, Institute of Public Health

Moderator: Gayatri Menon, Independent

11:45 - 13:00
Workshop 3.2 E Strategic Communications: How Can We Make Commons Everyone’s Business? (Part II)

This 150-minute workshop will focus on creating a strategic communication roadmap to foreground the Commons as a public priority. Participants, including civil society leaders, journalists, and communication specialists, will explore how to shift public perspectives and engage diverse audiences in the discourse on the protection and preservation of Commons. Participants will be divided into working groups, each focusing on one of these themes. Through in-depth discussions, these groups will identify challenges, opportunities, and innovative approaches to better communicate the significance of Commons. The workshop’s key takeaway will be the creation of actionable big ideas and strategic plans aimed at enhancing public understanding and policy engagement around the critical role of Commons.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by Common Ground and Foundation for Ecological Security

13:00- 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 15:15
Session 3.3 A Panel: Reimagining FRA: The Way Forward

This session will examine the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and its implementation 18 years since its enactment, focusing on policy, legal, and institutional reforms needed to achieve its goals. Topics include mainstreaming FRA into development, building climate resilience, synergizing FRA with local programs like MGNREGA, empowering Gram Sabhas in NTFP governance, and democratizing decisionmaking in forest resource management. The discussion will explore strategies to streamline FRA implementation and align it with contemporary climate change, forest governance, and development issues.

Speakers

Dev Nathan, Professor, Institute for Human Development

Kanchi Kohli, Researcher and Educator

M. D. Madhusudan, Nature Conservation Foundation

Rajendra Bharud, IAS, Commissioner, Tribal Research and Training Institute, Government of Maharashtra

Sanjay Upadhyay, Sr Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Samar Bosu Mullick, Secretary, Institute of Community Forest Governance

Sonmoni Borah, IAS, Principal Secretary, ST & SC Development, Chhattisgarh

Moderator: Meenakshi Kathel, Chief Advisor, UNDP

14:00 - 15:15
Workshop 3.3 B The Confluence of Law, Justice, and Commoning

This session will introduce and deepen the understanding of commoning and its connection to legal and justice systems. It will create a space for participants to explore new ideas, identify key points of intervention, and strengthen ties between those working on environmental justice and commonsbased governance. Drawing from insights shared in earlier sessions, the focus will be on how commons governance can support broader environmental justice efforts and foster collaboration.

Speakers

Open workshop curated by Agami and Foundation for Ecological Security

14:00 - 15:15
Roundtable 3.3 C Rainfed Livestock Network

This session will focus on highlighting the critical role of rainfed livestock systems in supporting rural livelihoods and sustainable agriculture. It will explore challenges and opportunities in this sector, drawing on current research and practices, and identify strategies for improving resilience and productivity. Participants will have the chance to share experiences, discuss innovations, and collaborate on approaches to strengthen the rainfed livestock ecosystem, with a focus on sustainable and equitable solutions.

Speakers

Anil Kumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NIAP

Balaram Sahu, Pathe Pathashala

Bhavana Rao, Senior Research Fellow, Foundation for Ecological Security

Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, Co-founder, Camel Charisma

Khem Chand, Principle Scientist, ICAR-NIAP, New Delhi

Natasha Maru, Global Lead for Rangelands and Pastoralists, International Land Coalition

Purnendu Kavoori, Director, Centre for Social Ecology

P. Vivekandan, Co-chair, Regional IYRP Support Group (RISG) South Asia

Rashmi Singh (Co-chair), Assistant Professor, IITHyderabad

Ramesh Bhatti, Program director, Sahjeevan

14:00 - 15:15
Panel 3.3 D Exploring Transitions Across Urban and Peri-urban Areas

Rural-urban transitions in India are creating complex peri-urban areas characterised by rapid development, shifting socio-economic dynamics, and environmental challenges. These liminal zones present unique opportunities and issues, from biodiversity loss to new economic paradigms. This panel explores the potential for creating sustainable, inclusive settlements that harmonise with nature while engaging communities in shaping their future amidst climate change.

Speakers

Divya Ravindranath, Indian Institute for Human Settlements

Paras Tyagi, Centre for Youth Culture Law and Environment

Rishika Reddy, Indo-German Centre for Sustainability

Sachin Tiwari, Frank Water

Moderator: Anubhav Pradhan, Professor, IIT Bhilai

14:00 - 15:15
Session 3.3 E Common Ground Initiative: Partners Meet
Speakers

Meeting anchored by Common Ground for a curated group

15:15 - 15:45
Coffee Break & Networking
15:45 - 17:00
Closing Session: Key Takeaways, Learnings, and New Collaborations