Indigenous Forest Rights and Political Engagement

This project examines whether transferring property rights over local forests from the state to indigenous communities promotes more sustainable forest management and increases civic and political engagement among indigenous citizens.

Our study takes place in Andhra Pradesh, India, where Adivasis (indigenous peoples) can apply for formal titles granting their communities the right to use and manage nearby forest
areas. Although all Adivasi communities in forest-adjacent villages are eligible, the application process is complex and burdensome, leading to low take-up. We propose a large-scale RCT in which treatment villages receive direct assistance with submitting and processing forest title applications. The intervention will be implemented as part of a larger partnership between the Indian School of Business (ISB) and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Andhra Pradesh. Pilot funding will enable us to assess the effectiveness of this assistance in securing titles and to design appropriate measures of political engagement and trust.

The titling program aims to address long-standing historical injustices. Our research will provide evidence on whether restoring citizens’ rights can build trust in the state and, in turn, foster greater political participation.