Community-based Conservation Projects Research Articles

Participation Strategies and Ethical Considerations in NGO Led Community-Based Conservation Initiatives

AbstractThis study examines the participation strategies of an environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) in community-based conservation (CBC) initiatives in the developing country context of Pakistan. We use local Pakistani concepts and terms to interpret and narrate our study. Drawing on the micro-mobilization literature, our analysis embeds a situated analysis of the ‘biradari’ (kinship) structures that pervade Pakistani social and cultural milieu. We shed light on the importance of various gatekeepers in providing access and ongoing support for CBC initiatives, suggesting NGOs must navigate complex cultural and social structures to manage participation in developing country contexts. Here our findings point to the importance of local knowledge not just in articulating community needs but also in articulating participation strategies. Furthermore, even though ‘elite’ structures have the potential to jeopardize equitable participation and project long-term sustainability, our analysis suggests interacting and gaining ‘bharosa’ (trust) of communities’ via these structures is critical to participation. While previous research has called into doubt the efficacy of CBC in advancing conservation, we suggest that frequent and culturally atoned engagement is a must for environmental NGOs working in socially entrenched developing nations. Our research brings to light the complex ethical terrain navigated by environmental NGOs in CBC projects, illuminating the inherent potential for both empowering and subjugating outcomes.

Civil society organizations' institutional climate capacity for community-based conservation projects: Characteristics, factors, and issues

This literature review explores civil society organizations' (CSOs) climate adaptive capacity, fundamental characteristics, factors contributing to various frameworks for assessing their institutional climate capacity. Identifying the factors and characteristics influencing CSOs' institutional capacity with regard to community conservation projects is crucial in addressing their gaps and strengthening the adaptive climate capacities of organizations and communities. Hence, this study assesses vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity frameworks and approaches by renowned institutions and researchers. The general findings imply that multiple dimensions and criteria govern and regulate CSOs' climate capacity. The study's arguments also revealed that significant dimensions, such as organizational structure, governance, coordination arrangements, infrastructure, and human resources, drive the flexibility and adaptivity of CSOs' climate adaptive capacity. Hence, the proposed analytical framework attempts to address these issues by focusing on the constraints and application of SWOC analysis in enhancing their institutional climate adaptivity. The outcome summarizes the realities and existing gaps in these CSOs and the developed frameworks that govern the implementation of participatory models providing valuable reference points to strengthen institutional adaptive capacities and resilience.

Catalyzing success in community-based conservation.

Efforts to devolve rights and engage Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation have increased the demand for evidence of the efficacy of community-based conservation (CBC) and insights into what enables its success. We examined the human well-being and environmental outcomes of a diverse set of 128 CBC projects. Over 80% of CBC projects had some positive human well-being or environmental outcomes, although just 32% achieved positive outcomes for both (i.e., combined success). We coded 57 total national-, community-, and project-level variables and controls from this set, performed random forest classification to identify the variables most important to combined success, and calculated accumulated local effects to describe their individual influence on the probability of achieving it. The best predictors of combined success were 17 variables suggestive of various recommendations and opportunities for conservation practitioners related to national contexts, community characteristics, and the implementation of various strategies and interventions informed by existing CBC frameworks. Specifically, CBC projects had higher probabilities of combined success when they occurred in national contexts supportive of local governance, confronted challenges to collective action, promoted economic diversification, and invested in various capacity-building efforts. Our results provide important insights into how to encourage greater success in CBC.

Community-Based Conservation and Management of Chelonians in the Amazon

Chelonians represent an important resource in the Amazon, either as a source of protein at the base of the food chain of aquatic and transition ecosystems, or in the dispersion of seeds of plants from floodplains and flooded forests. The consumption and predatory exploitation of their meat and eggs by local populations has been, and still is, one of the main threats to these animals. Community-based conservation projects allied to official protection programs have been restoring populations of chelonians of the genus Podocnemis throughout the Amazon since 1974. In this study, we analyzed the historical time series of protection data of Podocnemis expansa, P. unifilis, P. sextuberculata and P. erythrocephala in areas protected by the government and communities in the Amazonas state and northwest of Pará state. Between 1974 and 2019, 230,444 nests and 21,350,201 hatchlings of P. expansa, 170,076 nests and 3,229,821 hatchlings of P. unifilis, 647,715 nests and 6,410,092 hatchlings of P. sextuberculata and 24,617 nests and 168,856 hatchlings of P. erythrocephala were protected. Community protection schemes emerged in 1990, and covered 80.7% of the areas and produced 64.2% of P. unifilis hatchlings and 44.6% of P. sextuberculata hatchlings. The areas with the highest production of P. expansa remain under government protection (57.4%). Using the time series of production of nests and hatchlings per beach, logistic growth curves were estimated, and the values of r and K were compared between the two protection systems (government and community). Beaches controlled by the government showed higher support capacity in the production of nests (1,910.7 ± 1,035) and hatchlings (211,513 ± 93,031) of P. expansa and P. sextuberculata (81,160 ± 34,924 hatchlings). However, the communities were more efficient in protecting nests (r = 0.102 ± 0.2315) and hatchlings (r = 0.282 ± 0.166) of P. unifilis. Community-based protection and monitoring programs are an important component that should be incorporated by the government’s environmental agencies for the management and conservation of turtles in the Amazon.

Stakeholder Engagement and Performance of Community Based Conservation Projects: A Case of Laikipia Conservation Region Conservancies

This study examined the influence of stakeholder engagement on the performance of Community Based Conservation (CBC) projects in Kenya. Guided by theory of change, participatory development and stakeholder theories, the philosophical underpinning employed was pragmatism where cross sectional study design that adopted convergent mixed methods approach composed of quantitative and qualitative strands was utilized. Questionnaires, focused group discussions and document analysis were used to collect data from seven community conservancies dotting Laikipia Ecosystem. The quantitative strand was composed of a survey that targeted 911 conservancy members involved in alternative livelihood projects from whom a sample of 270 was selected. The qualitative strand was made of eight conservancy officials in the focused group discussion and 11 documents. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to test the nature and strength of the relationship between the variables and to predict performance of CBC projects based on the stakeholder engagement. Qualitative data was analyzed using framework analysis anchored on aprioristic set of categories viewpoint based on the indicators of the variables under study in order to triangulate the quantitative results. The results showed that stakeholder engagement positively and significantly influenced the performance of CBC projects since r=.641, R 2 =.410, F ( 1,237 ) =164.169 at p=.001<.05. Moreover, Welch's t-test showed that the level stakeholder engagement in CBC project design differed in the sampled community conservancies as F= 17.491 df ( 6,231 ), p = .001), t = 19.944 df ( 6,75.765 ) at p = .001<.05. It is recommended that external expertise should only be used as a compliment to the local one, therefore, local stakeholders should be engaged for their customary and the traditional knowledge. Innovations and practices of local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity ought to be encouraged. Given the importance attached to local knowledge in CBC projects, there is need to have effective communication and outreach to and with local stakeholders, particularly the local cultural institutions who retain traditional ecological knowledge. Keywords: Conservation, Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Empowerment, Acceptance of Conservation, Sustainable Resource Use, Biodiversity Regeneration DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-4-07 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Capacity Building of Project Beneficiaries and Performance of Community Based Conservation Projects: A Case of Laikipia Conservation Region Conservancies

This study determined the extent to which capacity building of project beneficiaries influenced performance of Community Based Conservation (CBC) projects in Kenya. Anchored on pragmatism, the study was guided by theory of change, participatory development and stakeholder theories. A cross sectional study design that adopted convergent mixed methods approach composed of quantitative and qualitative strands was utilized. Questionnaires, focused group discussions and document analysis were used to collect data from seven community conservancies dotting Laikipia Ecosystem. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to test the nature and strength of the relationship between variables and to predict the dependent variable based on the independent variable. Qualitative data was analyzed using framework analysis to get themes and triangulate the quantitative results. Capacity building of project beneficiaries was found to positively and significantly influence performance of CBC projects (r=.727, R 2 =.529, F ( 1,237 ) = 264.584 at p = .001<.05). Furthermore, Welch's t-test showed that capacity building of project beneficiaries differed in the CBC project design of the sampled community conservancies as F= 14.769 df ( 6,231 ), p = .001), t =15.848 df ( 6,72.291 ), p = .001<.05. The study recommends that design of CBC projects ought to include methods for the co-development of the capacity of local organizations, traditional institutions and the wider society. Furthermore, the capacity building should be designed to account for local political, economic and cultural facilitating environments. Keywords: Conservation, Development, Capacity Building, Project Performance, Community Empowerment, Acceptance of Conservation, Sustainable Resource Use, Biodiversity Regeneration DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-2-08 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

A learning network approach to resolve conservation challenges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Serengeti‐Ngorongoro Biosphere reserve in northern Tanzania. It is famous for its large volcanic caldera, unique cultural heritage, early hominid fossils and significant wildlife populations. NCA has been managed as a multiple land‐use area since 1959, a designation intended to foster a harmonious coexistence between indigenous residents and wildlife (Goldstein, 2004).

Conditions for Success in a Community Based Conservation Initiative: An Analysis of Triggering Moments and Catalytic Elements in Nuha

What accounts for a successful community-based conservation (CBC) initiative? A bulk of studies has answered the question by identifying the principles as well as underlying relations that make up successful cases. However, rarely do they extend to examine the basic elements (or ingredients) that contribute to a successful case. Using the analytic framing of triggering moments and catalytic elements, this study describes the key factors that contributed to ongoing successes in achieving the outputs and goals of CBC. A recent CBC project in the Lake Malili Complex of South Sulawesi is examined as a case study to test the framework. The CBC initiative was carried out by a local NGO and university. The case village (Nuha) is chosen for its ability to continue implementing programmatic objectives according to project reports. In-depth interviews, a close review of grey literature about the project, as well as field observations in Nuha and surrounding villages provide the data that forms the basis of the analysis about the factors contributing to Nuha success. Findings show that the framework of triggering moments and catalytic elements can help to show the key factors of crises and windows of opportunity that contribute strongly to stimulating community responses to a CBC initiative. Furthermore, although not all catalytic elements were present, certain identified factors – participation, commitment of key actors, funding, capacity building, partnership with supportive organizations and governments, and leadership – were strong enough to stimulate effective implementation of the CBC initiative. Nevertheless, the analytic framework of triggering moments and catalytic elements is less capable of provide the context for why the catalytic elements were present prior to the introduction of the CBC initiative.

Motivations to Support Marine Conservation Projects in North Tarawa, Kiribati

Local communities’ support for resource conservation projects are essential for their success. Nevertheless, in the Pacific Island countries, many community-based conservation (CBC) projects remain ineffective due to the lack of community members’ engagement. To better understand the motivations of local community members to support resource conservation projects; this research looks at the four community-based conservation sites in North Tarawa, Kiribati. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to investigate why community members support (or do not support) CBC. The findings reveal that while local community members are overall aware of the significance of resource conservation, they do not always support or participate in conservation projects. Indeed, the local community members’ motivation to participate in such projects are influenced by various factors, including their status in a household or community, village practices, the quality of community leadership, and their past experiences with similar projects. Our research also finds that community members become unsupportive with conservation projects when their daily livelihood activities are restricted by the projects. This research suggests that project organisers need to understand such factors and be strategic to retain community members’ support for the success of conservation project.

Comparing the community dependence on natural resources in Nyungwe National Park and the contribution of revenue sharing through integrated conservation and development projects

Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has recently established a tourism Revenue Sharing Scheme (RSS) to create a win-win approach in protected areas for effective biodiversity conservation and management. Through this scheme, around 1 billion Rwandan francs wereinvested to support around 152 Community Based Conservation Projects (CBCs), and integrated conservation and development projects (ICDPs). This paper assessed the contribution of CDCs projects around Nyungwe National Park (NNP) by evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness, and their socioeconomic impact to the local community development. Secondary data about the revenue sharing projects and the amount of money allocated to each project were collected from RDB office. Primary data were collected through the interview and focus group discussions. To verify the findings from RDB, interview and focus group discussion (FGD) were used. Interview was done with 500 households of local people around Nyungwe National Park and with community conservation wardens, while threats to NNP were verified by the consultation of reports from ranger based monitoring officers. The results showed that the value of resources collected by people from the park is higher than the revenue sharing support offered by RDB as (31.3 %) of respondents mentioned that exotic tree species were stolen and sold as poles where one pole was sold at around 6,800 Rwandan francs and 38.6 % of respondents proven that mining gave the much income. and consequently the revenue sharing scheme did not significantly reduce threats to biodiversity and its impact around NNP.A small percentage of people are happy because they were supported but a big number becomes unhappier and threaten the Park due to the gap in creating a win-win situation in biodiversity conservation. We recommend the revision of the whole revenue sharing scheme, taking into account the cost of livelihoods of community surrounding the park.Keywords: Efficiency, Effectiveness, Integrated Conservation, Development Projects, Revenue Sharing Scheme

Social capital and self-organised collective action: Lessons and insights from a South African community project

ABSTRACTThrough the lens of new institutional economics, this paper provides exploratory analysis of the elements of social capital behind the success of self-organised collective action in a longstanding and effective community-based conservation and development project. Our qualitative institutional analysis suggests that critical elements of project-level structural social capital in the Umgano project case study include: forward-thinking and capable leadership; long-standing partnerships with external agencies; sound operational structures and management; and legitimate participation facilitated by forms of representation that are transparent and accountable to constituents. In accordance with the theory, insights from the study also indicate that successful collective action relies on processes of long-term and earnest trust building, within and across communities, and between communities and external agents. Such insights serve as a point of reference for role-players in similar community-based projects and have the potential to inform future research on resource governance in South Africa.

Bird conservation from obscurity to popularity: a case study of two bird species from Northeast India

This paper discusses how competing value systems of different interest groups, help the obscure and lesser known species to become a part of a global conservation project. We analyse two community-based conservation initiatives where two littleknown bird species Bugun liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) and Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) have transformed the state of the landscape with a series of initiatives by Governments, NGOs and scientists. Bugun liocichla is found in only one location of Arunachal Pradesh and its population is currently as low as 14 individuals. Amur falcon is a migratory bird of prey that visits Nagaland in millions to roost for 2 months. This paper particularly, focuses on how the idea of conservation NGOs is introduced at the community level and how particular bird species gain popularity, locally and internationally. Using the notion of value, we examine how and why species gain specific value/s when the conservation projects are designed and implemented in community-based conservation projects in Northeast India. Based on ethnographic research, we have used semi-structured interviews and participant observation to gather information from key informants. We found that these bird species attain specific cultural, commercial and conservation values depending on various ecological, economic and social factors. In the process of conservation, the birds also become ‘development’ icons for the landscape. We argue that the two species have attained a ‘universal value’ attuned to the philosophies of global capitalist market and global conservation.

What Will Parents Pay for Hands-on Ocean Conservation and Stewardship Education?

Supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Ocean Guardian School (OGS) program is a federally funded grant program coordinated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. OGS supports the educational goals of national marine sanctuaries (NMS) by funding hands-on ocean conservation and stewardship programs in both public and private schools. Schools apply for grants (up to $4,000) to implement school- or community-based conservation projects to educate students, while contributing to the health and protection of local watersheds and the world’s ocean. This study is the first to estimate the value that parents have for their child’s participation in an ocean conservation and stewardship program. Using a contingent choice survey, changes to student behaviour, parents’ support for the OGS program and the non-market economic value to parents of the six program attributes are estimated.

Connecting Generations Through Informal Geospatial and Conservation Education

University of Connecticut Extension educators are engaged in a new program that fosters intergenerational informal science, technology, engineering, and math learning through combining geospatial technology and conservation science. Conservation Training Partnerships (CTP) is a program that brings together adult conservation leaders and high-school-aged youths for a 2-day hands-on training that leads to community-based conservation projects. The program creates synergistic project teams that combine the adult partners' community and conservation knowledge with the youth partners' technological facility. This innovative intergenerational approach holds promise for Extension professionals in improving technology-based trainings and projects.

Contribution of Community Conservation and Ecotourism Projects on Improving Livelihoods and Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation in and around Nyungwe National Park (NNP)

The Rwanda Development Board has established the Revenue Sharing Scheme to create a win-win approach in protected areas conservation and management. Through this scheme, RwF 1,133,195,986 have been invested in 152 Community Based Conservation Projects (CBCs) and Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs). This paper provides inputs for improving the prospects of ICDPs by giving consideration to each of the five capitals namely natural, social, human, built, and financial. The language of ICDPs has been adopted by development agencies of all persuasions. There is now some urgency to identify the characteristics of the environment and the community in which success is most likely. This paper assesses the contribution of Revenue Sharing Scheme in strengthening CBCs and ICDPs around Nyungwe National Park. We looked at the efficiency and effectiveness of the mentioned projects. The study was guided by the following key objectives; to examine the social economic impact of tourism revenue sharing program towards the development on local communities, and analyse the challenges faced by local administration and beneficiaries in management of these revenue sharing. To archive the set objectives, a cross sectional research design was used, combined with qualitative and quantitative approach. We collected secondary data from RDB. The study adopted descriptive and statistical approaches in processing data and Special Program for Social Scientist (SPSS) computer program was employed in data analysis. The findings show that above 50% of community conservation projects that were funded through revenue sharing scheme are not any more there because there was no strategy for monitoring and impact evaluation. The findings also show that there is no significant contribution of revenue sharing to reducing the threats to biodiversity in Nyungwe National Park. RDB put a lot of efforts in law enforcement than in community conservation. As a recommendation, RDB needs to increase efforts in community conservation and review the revenue sharing scheme to make it more successful given that it will increase to 10% from the fiscal year 2018-2019.

SELF-ORGANISATION INITIATIVES IN COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION: A CASE STUDY OF BUNG JAGOI HERTIAGE BAU, SARAWAK MALAYSIA

This article examines the small-scaled, village-based, self-organised initiatives community-based conservation (CBC) of Bung Jagoi Heritage, Bau, Sarawak. The community self-organisation criteria are adopted in this study. The initiatives are developed through the CBC Projects under the Equator Initiative (EI) of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) which are considered successful by the EI. This article also investigates the impact of Bidayuh customary law or adat on the access and forest resources management in the communal forest of Bung Jagoi Heritage which utilised the Adat Bidayuh Order, 1994 and native customs as their guidelines for managing the access and forest resources. The level of participation among the villagers and the committee members is also assessed in this study based on the widely used participation typology developed by Jules N. Pretty. The data for this study is gathered through semi-structured interviews (SSIs) and observation. The findings of this study shows that the self-organisation in CBC of Bung Jagoi Heritage is initiated by a small number of Jagoi-Duyoh villagers due to some outsiders’ mysterious visits and concerns to conserve the forested land that also situate an ancestral village and its biodiversity as well as to develop the Bung Jagoi Heritage through the conservation activities. The success of this CBC self-organisation relies heavily on the involvement and commitment of the committee members, funding from the local and international donors, and leadership of the committee’s advisor in order for it to sustain and develop. The local community practices collectively known as the adat gives some impact on the access and forest resources through its communal tenure and traditional beliefs. The level of participation among the villagers can be categorised as ‘participation for material incentive’ while the level of participation among the committee member can be categorised as ‘self-mobilisation’.Key words: self-organisation, community-based conservation (CBC), customary law, adat, forest resources, participation, Bidayuh, Jagoi.

The challenges of community-based conservation in developing countries—A case study from Lake Alaotra, Madagascar

Nature conservation in tropical developing countries is particularly challenging as the human population is highly dependent on natural resources. Several approaches, such as small-scale, community-based conservation projects aiming to generate benefits for the community, have been applied to alleviate poverty and at the same time promote conservation. In Madagascar such projects are considered a promising alternative as large-scale conservation often fails. However, few evaluations to date have analyzed both ecological and socioeconomic aspects. Our study focuses on the ecological and socioeconomic aspects of a small-scale, community-based conservation project, called “Park Bandro”, at Lake Alaotra, Madagascar. At first glance, the area seems to conserve its natural flora and fauna. However, closer examination shows that the park suffers from isolation, disconnectivity and illegal activities, while its management suffers from an unequal distribution of benefits and a lack of recognition at community level. We use our results to discuss where challenges arise and to draw recommendations which will be relevant beyond Lake Alaotra. We show that institutional settings can foster the detachment of local management associations from the community and facilitate elite capture. Existing conflicts of interests and a lack of transparency in administration hinders long-term success. The managerial framework needs to be revised and adapted to foster capacity building, providing a basis for negotiation with the community and the integration of different social groups.

Beyond payments for ecosystem services: considerations of trust, livelihoods and tenure security in community-based conservation projects

AbstractIn the search for successful community-based conservation models there has been a substantial focus on payment for ecosystem services. Such payments are measurable inputs that are often associated with conservation success. A closer look suggests a more complex, historically and culturally contingent picture. We argue that a focus on payment for ecosystem services as a defining factor for success in community conservation risks overlooking other, more significant processes. In particular, we argue for the importance of (1) tenure and livelihood security and (2) relations of trust, communication and respect. We draw on case studies from East Africa, but the findings are relevant for global community-based conservation endeavours.

Evaluating outcomes of community-based conservation on Kenyan group ranches with remote sensing

SUMMARYConservationists have adopted community-based conservation (CBC) strategies to support landscape conservation programmes in East Africa, and these projects often involve community development assistance in exchange for a commitment to dedicating a portion of community lands for conservation management. There is, however, a dearth of empirical evidence assessing the effectiveness of CBC conservation programmes. This paper uses sub-metre-resolution satellite imagery to measure land-use change on four Kenyan group ranches that had created CBCs. Each ranch underwent a common participatory planning process that established a land-use plan involving three management zones: conservation, livestock grazing and settlement/cultivation. Using a satellite image time series, we recorded threat-based development – anthropogenic modification of natural areas and the density of structures – for each ranch. We found that CBCs with tourism lodges were more effective at controlling development than the CBCs without a lodge, particularly in the conservation zones and, to a lesser degree, in the grazing zones. We conclude that our use of very-high-resolution satellite imagery offers conservationists a cost-effective, fast and replicable approach to measuring CBC land-use change and that CBC projects can lead to positive conservation results.

Communicating in the public sphere: effects of patriarchy on knowledge sharing among community-based organizations leaders in Botswana

Knowledge and knowledge sharing are widely regarded as important assets for the overall performance and competiveness of organizations. This study explored the effect of gender on selected predictors of knowledge sharing behaviors among community-based organizations leaders in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The study, guided by the patriarchy theory, employed a quasi-experimental research approach, using a counterbalanced design. A sample of 120 subjects, drawn from a cluster sample of 13 villages’ Board of Trustees participating in community-based conservation projects, was used. Data were collected using a retrospective pretest instrument and analyzed using one-way mixed between-within doubly repeated measures ANCOVA. The results revealed that only behavioral intention showed significant effects, F(1, 107) = 6.60, p = .01, suggesting differential effects of gender on intention to share knowledge. The study concluded that females are less likely to share information acquired as part of their portfolio responsibility in the public sphere when compared to their male counterpart.