| dc.description.abstract | This article commences with an examination of the reasons for the enormous
increase in areas under state protection worldwide, and proceeds to discover
two incompatible value systems that inform this expansion. The tension
between these value systems informs the entire discussion and the article
closes with an attempt to gauge the degree to which they can be reconciled.
After a brief look at what is entailed by the conventional approach to
conservation the focus shifts to the tension between the ‘haves’ and the ‘havenots’
which seems, partially, to provide the rationale for the community-based
conservation (CBC) philosophy having arisen.
Parks authorities are sometimes presented as being held hostage by local
communities, metaphorically if not literally, and their response to this
situation is found to consist in either one of two options. Each of these options
carries a set of implications which are spelt out. The underlying motives
and modus operandi for CBC are subjected to a variety of criticisms which
suggest that CBC should only be implemented, if at all, with considerable
circumspection.
After an examination of rights, entitlements and priorities, the two sets of
conflicting values are examined in greater depth, as are the practicalities and
logistics of community participation in conservation. The discussion closes
with a critical analysis of what really drives CBC and finds that it is not
necessarily in accord with the long term interests of conservation. It is suggested
that, before serious consideration be given to establishing partnerships with communities, these communities first supply some evidence of their
conservationist bona fides within their own villages and territories. It is also
suggested that local authorities, with the assistance of conservation personnel,
should do all within their power to educate communities accordingly. | en_US |
