A National Park in the Making: Local Perceptions and Equity Implications around a Proposed National Park in Romania

Abstract

Understanding local perceptions and equity concerns of new protected areas (PAs) is essential in ensuring support for conservation. We investigated local perceptions of a proposed national park (NP) in the Făgăraș Mountains (FM), Romania, to understand how PA perceptions can inform equitable establishment of new PAs. Using mixed methods (56 interviews, 644 questionnaires), we compared perceptions of locals near an existing private PA (n = 217) to locals in other parts of the FM (n = 427). Overall, locals perceive benefits and restrictions related to the proposed NP. Locals anticipate tourism benefits and increased environmental protection, but also increased human-wildlife conflicts. Understanding perceptions of proposed PAs can inform equitable planning and management, as local concerns can be identified and addressed. Our results show that a highly context-dependent, equitable approach to conservation, including early involvement of local populations and even distribution of benefits, is a critical point in building trust and good relations with locals.