Why burn the bush? Social approaches to bush-fire management in West African national parks

Abstract

Fire is a major threat to many national parks worldwide. Social research in the savanna woodland biome of northern Benin shows that in addition to the commonly cited reasons for setting bush-fires—tradition, clearing fields, hunting, and improving dry season grazing—villagers burn to deter wild animals, to increase the supply of certain forest products, and to take revenge on the national parks. Villagers' perceptions of the effects of fire often correspond to our scientific understanding. With an appreciation of the villagers' logic we can predict that the establishment and protection of national parks will increase the incidence of human-caused bush-fires. To counter this, parks need to promote changes in long-standing traditions, encourage more intensive land-use practises, assist in protecting crops and livestock against wild animals, and improve relationships with the surrounding villagers.