Conservation and local communities

Local communities should be treated as valued stakeholders and sustainability partners in conservation and tourism, say Ian Gordon-Cumming and Prof Kevin Mearns of Unisa’s Department of Environmental Sciences.

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Biodiversity conservation, protected areas and wildlife tourism are three fundamentals in an intricate, multifaceted and interlinked system. Of concern, however, is that current rates of biodiversity loss are unsustainable.

Wildlife conservation outcomes are strongly influenced by adjacent communities. Although win-win situations do occur, relatively few community-based conservation initiatives have been wholly successful. In 73 studies spanning 12 countries in Africa, social outcomes were assessed as positive in only 34% of cases.

There is a strong correlation between benefits, positive attitudes and community support for protected areas. By comparison, restricted access to natural resources and benefits is seen to have a negative impact on livelihood strategies and attitudes, leading to conflict between stakeholders.

Generally, tangible direct benefits such as employment and access to natural resources are valued in local communities. But very few community members perceive or are aware of any benefit from biodiversity conservation and/or wildlife tourism. This is as true for large parks like the Kgalagadi as for small financially volatile ones.