About the Programme:As the Inaugural flagship initiative under CG-LEAD, HNLU and FES is going to jointly organize a six-day residential Winter School on “Forest Commons in India: Legal Framework, Community Governance” from 7 to 12 December 2026, at HNLU Campus, Nava Raipur. The programme will examine the relationship between forest laws, community rights, customary practices, public institutions and ecological stewardship. The programme will discuss national legal frameworks and experiences from different regions, with particular attention to their relevance to commons especially forest commons, dependent communities and institutions in Chhattisgarh.Through interactive sessions, case studies, practical exercises, engagement with community representatives and field-based learning, the Winter School will explore how forest commons are understood, governed and protected, and how legal rights operate in practice. Participants will examine the relationships among community institutions and public authorities, the challenges of implementation, and approaches to reconciling ecological conservation with rights, livelihoods and equitable development. Group presentations and issue briefs will consolidate the learning and identify questions for further research, dialogue and training under CG-LEAD. Subsequent annual editions will retain this approach while addressing different themes relevant to law, equity and development in Chhattisgarh.Objectives:Understand forests as commons and examine their ecological, livelihood, social and cultural significance, including the distinction between collectively governed resources and unrestricted access.Trace changes in forest governance from customary institutions through colonial and post-independence administration to contemporary recognition of community rights.Examine the interaction of forest, wildlife, biodiversity and tribal-governance laws with Gram Sabhas, Panchayats, customary institutions and forest departments.Connect legal and policy analysis with field experience and develop practical proposals for equitable, participatory and ecologically sustainable forest governance.Registration and residential arrangements:The registration fee will be ₹5,000 plus GST for doctoral research scholars and grassroots-level practitioners in the development and social sectors, and ₹10,000 plus GST for other participants. The fee will cover accommodation in the HNLU PG Hostel, lunch and programme refreshments on all six teaching days, the field visit and programme materials. Breakfast and dinner will be arranged by participants on a payment basis at available campus facilities. Travel to and from HNLU will be borne by participants. Off-campus accommodation may be arranged at their own expense, without a reduction in the registration fee.For budgeting, arrival is planned for 6 December and departure for 13 December, providing seven residential nights. Accommodation outside these dates will be at the participant’s expense. The fee figures are treated as net programme receipts in the funding plan; any applicable tax on registration will be separately stated and collected on the advice of HNLU Accounts.Programme Details:Click HereApplication Form:Click HereFor More Details:Click Here...Disclaimer:Any content on this website (i.e www.lawof.in)is solely for information purpose. It does not constitute formal recommendation or any professional advice. Due care has been taken in posting information, the existence of omissions herein is not ruled out. Neither the author nor lawof.in accepts any liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any inaccurate or incomplete information on this website nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. No part of posts on this website should be distributed or copied (except for non-commercial use, personal) without express written permission of lawof.in if there is any question or query then please mail on lawof.in@gmail.com..#ForestCommons #CommunityRights #ForestLaw #LegalEducation #EnvironmentalLaw #TribalRights #SustainableDevelopment #WinterSchoolThe post Call for Applications | First Residential Winter School | Forest Commons in India: Legal Framework, Community Rights and Institutions | HNLU Campus, Nava Raipur | Application deadline: 10 November, 2026 appeared first on LawOF.