Is tenure security ensured by land titling of commons?

[Aryan]

Land titling of commons refers to the process of formally recognizing and documenting ownership of common land. The purpose of land titling of commons is to protect the land from claims made by outside interests and to provide clarity and security regarding the community’s rights to use and manage the land. To ensure that the community’s rights are respected and upheld, it is crucial to approach the land titling of commons transparently and inclusively that takes into account the rights and perspectives of the community.
Having land titles over commons can help provide some degree of tenurial security, but it is not a guarantee. The issuance of land titles is one aspect of securing tenure, but it must be accompanied by other measures to ensure that the rights of the people who hold those titles are respected and upheld. For example, even if individuals or communities hold land titles, they may still face threats to their tenure security from external actors, such as large-scale commercial interests, or from the government itself, through forced evictions or changes in land use policies.
Additionally, the process of acquiring land titles can be complex and challenging, especially for vulnerable or marginalized groups. In some cases, the process may be biased in favor of wealthier or more powerful groups, and informal settlements may not be recognized or may be forcibly cleared. Thus, while having land titles is an important step towards tenurial security, it is not the only measure that needs to be taken, and it must be part of a broader approach to secure tenure rights for all.

[Purnendu Kavoori]

It would be useful to have examples from peoples experiences that validate or question the observation made by Aryan, from Karnataka or elsewhere. People engaged in field research and engagement will not doubt have rich information in this regard. Perhaps the OP can provide examples from his own field experience by way of illustration.

[Author]

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