Local Government, Women Representation and Natural Resource Management

This paper examines how elected women representatives of local government in India influence the involvement of local government in natural resource management (NRM). A profound relationship between women and nature is demonstrated by women-led movements protecting the environment, across time and spaces. The institutional guidelines for decentralised natural resource management in India acknowledge this deep connection mandating the inclusion of women in community-based and co-management initiatives for NRM. Moreover, seats are reserved for women in local government. As a part of broader devolution process, resource management functions are devolved to local government and inclusion of women in these institutions holds promise for resource sustainability. However, there is not enough literature on how elected women representatives of local government, influence the involvement of local government in NRM. We therefore address the above question by investigating the case of three Gram Panchayats of Madhya Pradesh, India. Based on qualitative evidence, we find that women representatives do not influence local decision-making on NRM. However, we do not question that resource management outcomes could be improved by inclusion of women. Rather, we suggest that socio-cultural context mediates and limits the possibilities for women to substantially participate in local decision-making and thus, to bring in any changes regarding the involvement of local government in NRM.