Abstract
ABSTRACTProtected areas (PAs) are often conflict-ridden, but conflict resolution mechanisms are often constrained by little appreciation of the perceptions of the principal agents (PA managers and local communities) about such conflicts. Getting local people’s support in PA management efforts is considered important for achieving conservation and livelihood goals. Using data from 13 nature reserves in South Africa, this study explores the perceptions of reserve managers and local communities about their relationships and the existence and underlying causes of conflicts. The findings showed sharp contrasts in perceptions between reserve managers and local communities. Reserve managers generally perceived that there were no conflicts with local communities and that their relationship with them was positive while local communities thought otherwise, claiming conflicts were centred around restricted access to PAs, lack of benefits from PAs and communication problems. These findings have profound implications for conservation, especially considering the importance of getting local people’s support in PA management.EDITED BY Isabelle Durance
Highlights
For a greater part of the twentieth century, biodiversity conservation in protected areas (PAs) was characterised by socially exclusive ‘fortress’ strategies aimed at creating ‘pristine environments’ (Hulme & Murphree 1999; Adams & Hutton 2007)
Using data from 13 nature reserves in South Africa, this study explores the perceptions of reserve managers and local communities about their relationships and the existence and underlying causes of conflicts
Reserve managers generally perceived that there were no conflicts with local communities and that their relationship with them was positive while local communities thought otherwise, claiming conflicts were centred around restricted access to Protected areas (PAs), lack of benefits from PAs and communication problems
Summary
For a greater part of the twentieth century, biodiversity conservation in protected areas (PAs) was characterised by socially exclusive ‘fortress’ strategies aimed at creating ‘pristine environments’ (Hulme & Murphree 1999; Adams & Hutton 2007). Mounting evidence shows that perceptions towards conservation are shaped differently by a diverse range of demographic factors including education levels, gender, household size and age (Kideghesho et al 2007; Mutanga et al 2015) and socio-economic factors such as past experiences with PAs, wealth status, benefit accrual from PAs and the perceived state of relationships with PAs and PA officials (Allendorf et al 2007, 2012; Kideghesho et al 2007; Tessema et al 2010). Socioeconomic factors like past experiences, benefit-sharing in PAs and conflicts with PAs are considered key to understanding perceptions on conservation (Holmes-Watts & Watts 2008; Bennett 2016), given the goal of ensuring conservation with a ‘human face’
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
