Managing common property resources (CPRs) in transboundary Himalayan borderlands involves complex political, institutional, and ecological challenges. This study examines CPR governance in five border villages of Ladakh located along the India–Pakistan Line of Control, focusing on interactions among traditional institutions (such as the Goba and Churpon), civil administration, and military authority. The analysis is based on a stratified household survey of 245 households and key informant interviews conducted during 2024–25. Composite indices were constructed to measure CPR Utilization, Politics of Engagement (PEI), Threat Perception (TPI), and Sustainability. Descriptive statistics and inferential methods including ANOVA, t-tests, chi-square tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression were used to assess how governance and political factors shape access to and use of shared resources. The results reveal substantial variation across villages and social groups. The mean Utilization Index ranges from 0.8004 in Mushkoo to 0.0286 in Darchik, with Balti and Shina communities displaying significantly higher dependence on CPRs than Dard and Purig groups. Governance structures also differ: the Union Territory administration is perceived as the dominant authority by 53.9 per cent of respondents, alongside the continued influence of village elders (40.4 per cent). The overall PEI is moderate (mean ≈ 0.41), but higher in villages such as Darchik and Mushkoo and among Balti and Dard households. Households in Drass tehsil exhibit significantly higher CPR utilization than those in Kargil. Regression analysis shows that higher threat perceptions significantly reduce CPR use (β = −0.396, p < 0.001), while effective rule enforcement and inclusive participation enhance utilization (β = 0.347–0.422, p < 0.001). Sustainability outcomes mirror these patterns. Interpreted through polycentric governance and political ecology perspectives, the findings highlight a pluralistic but uneven governance regime and highlight the need to strengthen community institutions to improve sustainable CPR management in militarized border regions.
A et al. (Thu,) studied this question.