Land use planning issues in management of common property resources in a backward tribal area

► Communities solely dependent on common property resources and associated with marginal lands are facing impoverishment in India. ► Participatory land use plan was formulated and implemented for sustainable livelihood in a representative cluster of villages. ► Lack of skills was the most crucial link that differentiated between possible usage of resources and apathy towards usage. ► It was apparent that sustainable land use plan could not be implemented effectively without mobilization of a proactive community.