Exploring the Wilderness: Lessons Learned from Community-Based Conservation

Biswas, Aman

Exploring the Wilderness: Lessons Learned from Community-Based Conservation

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/34360

Author(s)

Biswas, Aman

Date Issued

April 1, 2013

Abstract

The poor conservation outcomes of oppressive colonial conservation policies gave way to community-based conservation (CBC). CBC aims to fulfill the dual objectives of poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation through empowering communities and utilizing local skills and knowledge. Despite its widespread popularity, community-based projects often treat the “community” as a homogenous group and often do not achieve meaningful participation and empowerment it promises. Citing the failure of community-based approaches, “resurgent protectionists” advocate a return to a more traditional, people-free approach to conservation. By addressing criticism from opponents and advocates of CBC, this project aims to explore ways to redress community-based approaches. Therefore, I conduct a case study analysis of the Masaai pastoralists in Tanzania, the Terai Arc Landscape project in Nepal, and the wolf restoration program in Yellowstone, USA to find lessons learned for community-based wildlife conservation. I conclude by emphasizing the necessity of public participation, the importance of external institutions, and recognition of human-wildlife conflicts.

First Reader(s)

Neff, Mark