Ghosh, Ranjan Kumar

In this paper, we explore the role of psychological ownership in the evolution of community stewardship. Community stewardship is defined as individuals or self-organized groups steering the management of a shared common-pool resource (CPR) by making local stakeholders care for them through a democratic process (FES, 2024). We use the model of stewardship antecedents developed by Hernandez (2012) to demonstrate how stewardship behavior is independent of property rights and ownership. While ownership plays an important role in defining the relationship of users with their ecosystem, the individuality or legality of ownership is different from the psychology of ownership or the ‘feeling’ that it is ‘my property, even if I don’t own it legally or individually’ (Pierce et al 2001; Peck et al, 2020). This feeling of ownership is rooted in an innate need to possess, where a property becomes an extension of one’s self. To elaborate, we study how stewardship emerges in the members of the Bishnoi community found primarily in North-Western arid regions of India, for two of their most valued community resources, the Khejri trees (Prosopis cineraria) and the Blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra). This community is considered, in general parlance, as the first environmentalists of India and their presence has been positively associated with an abundance of biodiversity (Hall, 2011). A survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews helps us identify the key attributes of psychological ownership and its mediators. We conclude with laying down the design principles of stewardship behavior, that is, conditions under which mediators such as – effectance (deriving satisfaction out of control), self-identity, sense of place, care, knowledge, intimate association and felt responsibility – align with stewardship. By admitting to the role of psychological ownership and theorizing upon stewardship behavior, we can better understand those instances of self-governance that exist prior to community crafted institutions.