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Social issues and concerns in biodiversity conservation: Experiences from wildlife protected areas in India
Abstract
There has been a growing realization that the conventional 'Gun and Guard' method of conservation is no more effective in dealing with the socio-ecological complexity and political dimensions of biodiversity conservation. Handling these challenges require an integrated approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems and attempts to link science, policy and societal goals through interdisciplinary methods of problem solving and multi-stakeholder decision making. The ecodevelopment approach currently being promoted in India by the government agencies seeks to promote social change in the fringe villages in order to secure full participation of the local communities in biodiversity conservation by their capacity building and finding ecologically sound and culturally appropriate means of livelihoods for achieving sustainable development. Using examples of best field practices from selected protected areas, this paper presents a framework for an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of local communities that combines the strengths of community-based studies and science of landscape management through a process of social learning and trans-disciplinary inquiry.
... Overcoming silos between decision-makers and scientists (Tinch et al. 2016;Carmen et al. 2015;Lidskog 2014;Sanguinetti et al. 2014;Sarkki et al. 2013;Ruckelshaus et al. 2015;Aslaksen et al. 2012;Koetz et al. 2012;Naylor et al. 2012;Noss et al. 2009;Srebotnjak 2007) and timely provisioning of consolidated views for decision-making (Larigauderie and Mooney 2010b; Thomas et al. 2012;Carmen et al. 2015;Nesshöver et al. 2016) were identified as key challenges to the process of developing and maintaining SPIs. Many articles also emphasized the need for interdisciplinary SPIs to develop policies that can take into account the complexity and interconnectedness of social and ecological systems (Arts and Buizer 2009;Mishra et al. 2009;Pullin et al. 2009;Van Haastrecht and Toonen 2011;Blythe and Dadi 2012;Kueffer et al. 2012;Paloniemi et al. 2012;Keune et al. 2013;Young et al. 2014;Hauck et al. 2014;Sarkki et al. 2015;Raina and Dey 2015;Seddon et al. 2016;Chazdon et al. 2017). ...
... Common challenges related to the outputs of SPIs included making scientific outputs policy relevant (Mishra et al. 2009;Vohland et al. 2011;Balian et al. 2016;Donohue et al. 2016;Nesshöver et al. 2016) and an inadequate scientific basis of outputs for policymaking (Koetz et al. 2008;Donohue et al. 2016). The production of highly relevant outputs of SPIs was most frequently cited as a solution, with the relevance of the output being enhanced typically through several rounds of communication between scientists and policymakers. ...
... ;Arts and Buizer 2009;Mishra et al. 2009;Blythe and Dadi 2012;Ferreira et al. 2012;Kueffer et al. 2012;Paloniemi et al. 2012;Giakoumi et al. 2012;Ardoin and Heimlich 2013;Gustafsson and Lidskog 2013;Keune et al. 2013;Young et al. 2014;Hauck et al. 2014;Chaves et al. 2015;Sarkki et al. 2015;Andaloro et al. 2016;Arpin et al. 2016;Kovács and Pataki 2016;Walther et al. 2016). ...
This chapter contributes to improve an understanding of the effectiveness of different biodiversity science–policy interfaces (SPIs), which play a vital role in navigating policies and actions with sound evidence base. The single comprehensive study that was found to exist, assessed SPIs in terms of their ‘features’—goals, structure, process, outputs and outcomes. We conducted a renewed systematic review of 96 SPI studies in terms of these features, but separating outcomes, as a proxy for effectiveness, from other features. Outcomes were considered in terms of their perceived credibility, relevance and legitimacy. SPI studies were found to focus mostly on global scale SPIs, followed by national and regional scale SPIs and few at subnational or local scale. The global emphasis is largely explained by the numerous studies that focused on the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Regionally, the vast majority of studies were European, with a severe shortage of studies, and possibly SPIs themselves, in especially the developing world. Communication at the science–policy interface was found to occur mostly between academia and governments, who were also found to initiate most communication. Certain themes emerged across the different features of effective SPIs, including capacity building, trust building, adaptability and continuity. For inclusive, meaningful and continuous participation in biodiversity SPIs, continuous, scientifically sound and adaptable processes are required. Effective, interdisciplinary SPIs and timely and relevant inputs for policymakers are required to ensure more dynamic, iterative and collaborative interactions between policymakers and other actors.
... Advocates of protected areas argue that if there is interest in protecting wildlife, it is difficult to expect or assume that local human communities will coexist harmoniously with species (Redford and Fearn 2007). This is because people, including those that have experienced a history of socio-economic marginalization or criminalization, may find opportunity in utilizing wildlife for a quick buck, as market access has reached them in rapidly changing and aspirational economies (Mishra et al. 2009;Leverington et al. 2008). This debate has continued over the last three decades (Rao and Geissler 1990;Kothari et al. 1995;Nelivigi 1995;Blaustein 2007;Malviya et al. 2022), and outcomes for both conservation and people have been diverse. ...
... So, it may be fair to say that no onesize-fits-all approach can work across the spectrum of socio-ecological contexts in which PA management and human development outcomes converge or diverge (Maan and Chaudhry 2019;McNeely 2020). Institutional changes, ecological settings, cultural practices of utilizing wildlife, and the regional political economy affect conservation and livelihood outcomes of both state-managed PAs and community-based conservation areas (Mishra et al. 2009;Martinez-Alier et al. 2016;Kabra 2019;Rai et al. 2021; Gillespie and Penny 2022). These processes can shape varied outcomes: conflict, relocation, or even co-habitation by wildlife and people in and around PAs (Manral et al. 2016;Bijoy 2019;Malviya et al. 2022). ...
Inland capture fisheries in rivers, wetlands, lakes, tanks, and dam reservoirs support millions of marginalized people in countries like India. While being a critical resource for many, fishing also has negative impacts on threatened wildlife, through net entanglement and mortality, and fishery-associated hunting or poaching activities. Also, both fishing and river wildlife have declined due to dams affecting river flows, water pollution, and other anthropogenic threats. A dominant approach to protect terrestrial wildlife in India has been the creation of Protected Areas (PAs) where human activities detrimental to wildlife, including fishing, are banned or significantly regulated. But PAs in India have been historically sited in and near dam reservoirs, where culture-based fisheries are often allowed. This triad of PAs, dams, and reservoir/river fisheries can lead to inequitable outcomes, tradeoffs, and conflicts between wildlife conservation and fishery-dependent livelihoods. Hence there is a need to understand factors leading to fishery-wildlife conservation conflicts across PAs. In this review paper, attribute data on ecotype, area, number of dams, fishing intensity levels, and conservation status were compiled for non-marine PAs across India to understand their broad correlations with fishery-conservation conflict intensity levels. Conflict intensity levels were correlated with PA area, PA conservation status, and fishing intensity, and with the number of dams associated with PAs. These results are discussed and specific institutional gaps and management limitations in India are identified, that need to be addressed to prevent negative fishing impacts on wildlife and secure human livelihoods dependent on fisheries.
... My ethnographic case studies of the Vasanthasenas and the adivasi eco-guides can easily be interpreted as analyses of different stake-holders in PTR who stand to gain economically by collaborating with the Forest Department. Indeed, the 'success' of PTR can be, and often is, explained in terms of the fruitful reconciliation between the different rational needs of resource users and conservationists (Mishra et al. 2009). And yet, a closer look at the world of Periyar reveals that the people involved in day-to-day interactions with each other make sense of their mutual obligations to protect the forest through a complex language of friendship, economic dependence on the forest as a zone of international tourism, and as a fragile eco-system with many apurvamaya (amazing) and ivere matra undu ('it is found here'; endemic) flora and fauna. ...
... The dam was a bone of contention between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu for a long time (c.f.Basheer 2002). 7 Detailed quantitative studies on the economic and perceived social benefits of the IEDP at Kumily have been done by EQUATIONS(2001),Gurukkal (2003), andMishra et al. (2009).Journal of Political EcologyVol. 20, 2013 384 ...
In recent years, scholarly and civil society debates regarding tiger conservation in India have been sharply divided both in favor and against the efficacy of 'fortress' models of conservation that discourage subsistence-level access to resources by the local poor. Such debates have been further intensified since 2005 due to a drastic drop in the wild tiger population – presumably due to illegal poaching – and the passing of a Forest Rights Act that grants forest lands ownership rights to traditional forest-dependent communities. This article analyzes local community-forest collaboration in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala in Southern India. Periyar Tiger Reserve has been the only 'success story' out of the seven national parks where the India Eco-Development Project was implemented in 1997. The IEDP was funded by the World Bank, the Global Environmental Facility, and the Government of India to solicit the support of forest-adjacent communities in protecting wildlife habitats by offering them market-based livelihood opportunities. Information comes from ethnographic research conducted ten years after the Eco-Development Project was first implemented, and studies of the evolving nature of state-community relationships under the umbrella of a newly formed 'Government Organized Non-Governmental Organization' or GONGO. Theoretically, the article focuses the role of emotions and identity politics in shaping the worldviews of the participating community members, and not on the economic incentives of stakeholders. In doing so, I propose a more nuanced analysis of community-state relationships than is offered by polarized debates amongst conservationists and people's rights advocates in India and elsewhere. I illustrate the sense of ownership and regional pride shared by different social actors, in the context of the continuation of the fortress model of conservation.
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, fortress conservation, eco-development, social fencing, identity politics, indigenous communities, tiger reserve, Kerala, India.
... mpowerment for both women specifically, and their communities. 1 For both instrumentalist and ethical reasons, PA managers and conservation advocates in India have begun taking a more active interest in linking "conservation" with vaguely defined notions of "women's empowerment" as part of their overall approach to ecodevelopment (Aiers eta/. 2007;Mishra et at. 2009;Ogra 2012a). The promotion and creation of women's collective groups (sometimes a variant or extension of a commonly maintained, traditional women's institution known as mahila mangal dal) remains a key feature of this approach (Pillai and Suchintha 2006;Rao 2006). Promotion of livelihood diversification strategies reflecting active enga ...
... Ecodevelopment in the 1990s continued to be premised on the assumption that a direct relationship exists between poverty alleviation of PA communities and improved PA protection (Mishra et al. 2009). However, given that the sine qua non of ecodevelopment continues to be conservation of PA resources (and not development of livelihoods in the PA communities), the overall approach has drawn much criticism. ...
... These management arrangements conform with the proposed field management arrangements for a government-managed protected area described elsewhere, under which landscape collaborative management functions (Appleton et al., 2003;Parr, 2006, Parr et al., 2013. Mishra et al. (2009) endorse this fundamental first step, noting that the success in Periyar was achieved because of strong leadership as well as committed and trained teams in the different fields of management for proper implementation of the activities. ...
... Evidence of multi-level collaborative management in a government designated protected area: Sandker et al. (2009) recommended devoting greater attention to improving local environmental governance as the highest priority for investment for developing effective integrated conservation and development initiatives. Mishra et al. (2009) stated that an elaborate institutional mechanism for implementation of the IEDP in PTR had been put in place. PTR demonstrates a good example of multi-level collaborative management, involving landscape level collaborative management, strong recognition of the different fields of management specialization, a number of structured protected area management working groups and a strong village level agenda through the 76 EDCs. ...
There are few cases where institutional mappings of multi-level arrangements for collaborative management have been conducted. If at all documented, these experiences remain unevaluated. Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Southern Western Ghats is a well-resourced government-managed protected area that extends management interventions into the buffer zone. It has been designated as a Learning Centre of Excellence by the Government of India, and recognized internationally for effective management. This paper analyses the institutional arrangements of this reserve at different levels, from the landscape level to the individual village. The analysis reveals that a multi-stakeholder collaborative management body appears to be important to supervise landscape protected area management. The establishment of the Periyar Foundation, a dynamic Government-Organized Non-Government Organization (GONGO), is particularly innovative to facilitate flexible management responses, which has been replicated nationwide through the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The protected area management tasks are well-defined, with protected area management working groups established for four key fields of management, increasing constructive engagement with all priority stakeholders. However, the representation of protected area working group spokespersons on the landscape collaborative management body seems to be weak. These specialized working groups engage the 72 villages, 5,584 households and 28,000 villagers, through 76 eco-development committees. Institutional mapping of multi-level collaborative management shows promise for further investigation in landscape protected area management.
... This study revealed the positive attitude of local communities towards cooperating with the forest department in the conservation of the Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem. This attitude has developed because of the recent initiatives of the forest department in most parts of India to seek the participation of the local communities in conservation (e.g., Badola, 2000;Mishra et al., 2009). Similar findings were made by Trakolis (2001) in Greece and Iftekhar and Takama (2008) in Bangladesh, where the local people wanted to be involved in forest management. ...
... Human-animal conflicts, lack of compensation for losses resulting from conflicts and prohibition of resource use in PA aggravate the differences between the local communities and PA managers. Realization of these facts led to a growing credence of community participation in PA management (Badola, 1999;Mishra et al., 2009). The Government of India recognizes that people living near PAs must be adequately compensated, with provision of alternative livelihoods to develop their stakes in conservation. ...
a b s t r a c t The ecological and economic importance of mangrove ecosystems is well established and highlighted by studies establishing a correlation between the protective function of mangroves and the loss of lives and property caused by coastal hazards. Nevertheless, degradation of this ecosystem remains a matter of concern, emphasizing the fact that effective conservation of natural resources is possible only with an understanding of the attitudes and perceptions of local communities. In the present study, we examined the attitudes and perceptions of local communities towards mangrove forests through questionnaire surveys in 36 villages in the Bhitarkanika Conservation Area, India. The sample villages were selected from 336 villages using hierarchical cluster analysis. The study revealed that local communities in the area had positive attitudes towards conservation and that their demographic and socio-economic conditions influenced people's attitudes. Local communities valued those functions of mangrove forests that were directly linked to their wellbeing. Despite human-wildlife conflict, the attitudes of the local communities were not altogether negative, and they were willing to participate in mangrove restoration. People agreed to adopt alternative resources if access to forest resources were curtailed. Respondents living near the forests, who could not afford alternatives, admitted that they would resort to pilfering. Hence, increasing their livelihood options may reduce the pressure on mangrove forests. In contrast with other ecosystems, the linkages of mangrove ecosystem services with local livelihoods and security are direct and tangible. It is therefore possible to develop strong local support for sustainable management of mangrove forests in areas where a positive attitude towards mangrove conservation prevails. The current debates on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and payment for ecosystem services provide ample scope for development of sustainable livelihood options for local communities from the conservation of critical ecosystems such as mangroves.
... Horton (2009) notes that ecotourism often expands women's responsibilities beyond domestic tasks, while Scheyvens (2000) highlights its potential for indirect empowerment through improved access to essential services. In India, eco-development initiatives, such as those by Mishra et al. (2009), have prioritized marginalized groups, linking environmental sustainability with financial, institutional, and social empowerment. However, while ecotourism can positively affect socio-cultural conditions, it also has risks, including overcrowding, increased crime, cultural erosion, and health risks. ...
Effective forest management in India must address the economic needs of local communities, often displaced by restrictive policies. These marginalized local communities, despite their traditional knowledge, lack alternative income sources, necessitating integration into management or exploration of options like ecotourism. Recognized for balancing conservation and livelihood support, ecotourism offers a viable solution to enhance economic opportunities while conserving resources. This paper explores ecotourism’s potential to boost local economies and examines how current management practices and alternative livelihoods can address resource scarcity in Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, India. The study employed a combination of qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews, surveys, on-site observations, focus group discussions, and literature reviews, along with a cross-sectional survey approach that integrated both qualitative and quantitative data collection to provide comprehensive insights. The study reveals that impoverished communities near forests, reliant on indigenous knowledge and resources, have been severely affected by forest degradation and current management practices. The findings highlight community-based ecotourism as a promising solution for sustainable income generation in the region, helping to mitigate resource degradation and support sustainable development. However, the region’s ecotourism potential is hindered by inadequate infrastructure, training & opportunities, and public awareness. Developing ecotourism as an alternative income source, alongside an inclusive forest management strategy that integrates social diversity, livelihood generation, and conservation, is essential for promoting nature conservation, reducing poverty, and enhancing the well-being of local communities. Strengthening non-agricultural livelihoods and preserving indigenous knowledge through ecotourism is crucial for effective resource management, while the study underscores the importance of community involvement in forest governance, offering valuable insights for policymakers and conservationists in developing sustainable management strategies.
... Freshwater ecosystems are intensively pressurized at this moment [2]. The water quality affects the species composition, abundance, and productivity of aquatic organisms in any water body [3]. Although, several anthropogenic activities affect the freshwater system's characteristics on a global and local level [4]. ...
Biotic and abiotic factors of a river compel an aquatic ecosystem, these factors are interrelated with each other. A healthy freshwater ecosystem denotes the assimilative capacity of a water body in terms of diverseness. Aquatic biodiversity of a freshwater ecosystem are very important for ecosystem services. Some environmental changes like climate change, anthropogenic factors, competition for survival, aquatic habitat loss etc. are responsible for the loss of biotic components in a water stream. The present study was aimed to assessed the interrelation between abiotic and biotic parameters of River Alaknanda. Water samples were collected from a 172 km long stretch of river during 2017–2018. The physico-chemical parameters viz. air temperature, water temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, light intensity, depth, pH, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were analysed by following the standards method. All the physico-chemical parameters were noted below the prescribed permissible limits of WHO/BIS. Biological parameters as phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and fishes were identified with the help of identification keys. A total of 32 species of phytoplankton, 19 species of zooplankton, 33 species of macro benthos and 21 fish species were found in the sampling zones of river. All the biotic and abiotic parameters evaluated by performing canonical correspondence analysis on observed data. According to this study findings, CCA is suitable tool for aquatic biodiversity and ecological habitat parameters to scrutinize the river health. This tool is very useful to evaluate the significant relation between biotic components and physico-chemical parameters of an aquatic ecosystem.KeywordsPlanktonic communityMacro-benthosFishesCanonical correspondence analysisRiver Alaknanda
... For example, Bruguierols A, B& C were isolated from Bruguiera gymnorrhiza which actively inhibit the growth of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria including mycobacteria and resistant strains @ 12.5 µg/ml concentrations (Han, et al., 2004). FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) of leaves of Finlaysonia abovata and Excoecaria agallocha have exhibited the control of Micrococcus sp, Aeromonas hydrophilla, E.coli, Vibrio alginolyticus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, B. Pumilus and ebsiella pneumoniae due to the presence of antibacterial activity of fatty acids (Agoramoorthy, et al., 2007 andMishra et al., 2009). Mangroves are also rich in polyphenols and tannins (Achmadi, et al., 1994;Kathiresan and Ravi, 1990). ...
For a long period of time in history mangrove plant extracts have been used for various producing a wide array of novel products. Plant-derived substances have recently become of great interest owing to their versatile applications. Besides its general products, mangroves also provide many non timber products such as tannin, fish poison, medicine, food and fodder. Mangrove and mangrove associates contain biological compounds that are active antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal in nature. They also posses antifeedant, molluscicidal and pesticidal properties. Mangrove plants are a rich source of steroids, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Extracts from different mangrove plants are reported to possess diverse medicinal properties such as antibacterial and antihelminthics. The medicinal value of mangroves and their antimicrobial properties are discussed in this paper in brief.
... However, management and the impacts of this biodiversity conservation on the local communities are also given light. For example, Mishra, B.K., et.al (2009) focus on social issues, concerns, and experiences on biodiversity conservation particularly in India emphasizing the ineffectiveness of the "Gun and Guard" method in dealing with the socio-ecological and political dynamics of conserving biodiversity. While it is true that there have been a lot of studies on interventions or mechanisms in protecting the forest, overall, the literature suggests that there is still negligible documentation on the "characteristics, social or work conditions, perceptions and attitudes of field-level implementers of policy". ...
The “Bantay Gubat” or Forest Guards who act as the vanguards of the forest play a significant yet very crucial role in Protected Areas (PA). But studies on the role of these field-level actors still found to be limited. Thus, this study is conducted to address this gap by exploring Bantay Gubat’s challenges which may provide possible mechanisms for Biodiversity Protected Areas. To explore their challenges, I used descriptive research design through qualitative methods of in-depth interview, audio-recorded responses, focus-groups discussion, and participant observation. Findings reveal that the Bantay Gubat are beholden to various forms of challenges about policy implementation, community participation, and economic insecurity. However, they continue to perform their tasks for economic reason and sense of responsibility in protecting Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary. Overall, this paper puts forward on Bantay Gubats’ challenges and narratives as mediating links towards biodiversity conservation that requires inclusive decision-making, effective implementation and empowered community members.
Keywords: Biodiversity Awareness, Community Participation, Environmental Impact, Forest Guard, Inclusive Conservation
Link: https://jar.ssu.edu.ph/index.php/JAR/article/view/231
... The Asian elephant, tiger, nil gai, wild boar, sambar, chital, barking deer, leopard including snow leopard and jackal, beer etc. (Mishra et al., 2009) ...
... The Asian elephant, tiger, nil gai, wild boar, sambar, chital, barking deer, leopard including snow leopard and jackal, beer etc. (Mishra et al., 2009) are the important mammals in Himalayan regions. ...
The snow-glacier fed Himalayan water resources are supplying water to more than 800 million people, and are largely regulated by the precipitation system. Deep understanding of the Himalayan watershed dynamics is much needed in the current changing climate scenario. Thus, the present study aims to identify the precipitation pattern (trend and periodicity) over one of the glacierized catchment of Central Himalaya (Chorabari Glacier catchment, Mandakini River basin, Uttarakhand). Multitemporal rainfall records (past two decades: 1998-2018) collected from satellite measurements (NASA-TRMM) were used. The multilevel decomposition technique of discrete wavelet transform (Mallat algorithm and Daubechies 9 wavelet), and nonparametric Sen’s slope method and Mann-Kendall test were used to analyze the dataset. Results suggested that during post monsoon and monsoon season, the amount of rainfall was decreased and it was increased in winter and pre monsoon seasons. Accordingly, the annual amount of rainfall over the Chorabari Glacier catchment was increased in past two decades with the periodicity of 2, 4, 8 (in general) and 16 (in particular) years. This represented that seasonal pattern of rainfall is changed substantially and shifted towards the non-monsoonal months. Changes in the precipitation pattern will result in enhance melting of snow/glacier mass which in turn subsequently harmful for the Himalayan snow-glacier fed watersheds.
... The Asian elephant, tiger, nil gai, wild boar, sambar, chital, barking deer, leopard including snow leopard and jackal, beer etc. (Mishra et al., 2009) ...
Lichen species respond to changes in climatic conditions. The diameter growth rates of 8 lichen species viz. Acarospora badiofusca,
Circinaria calcarea, Dimelaena oreina, Physcia caesia, P. dubia, Protoparmeliopsis muralis, Rusavskia elegans and Xanthoparmelia
mexicana were measured for the two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) with the help of digital vernier caliper in the alpine regions
of Johar Valley located in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. Lichen species Xanthoparmelia mexicana showed
highest diameter growth rate (3.39mm/year) while Dimelaena oreina showed the lowest growth rate (1.64mm/year). All the species
showed higher growth rates as compared to their earlier reported growth rates. The study raises a question that - are these higher
growth rates are a consequence of warming climate? To answer this question a detailed information about the growth rates of different
lichen species from across the Himalayan alpine landscapes needs to be gathered. Further these growth rates can be correlated with
the climatic data sets for better understanding of the responses of lichens to change in climatic conditions.
... Common challenges related to the outputs of SPIs included making scientific outputs policy relevant (Mishra et al. 2009;Vohland et al. 2011;Balian et al. 2016;Donohue et al. 2016;Nesshöver et al. 2016) and an inadequate scientific basis of outputs for policymaking (Koetz et al. 2008;Donohue et al. 2016). The production of highly relevant outputs of SPIs was most frequently cited as a solution, with the relevance of the output being enhanced typically through several rounds of communication between scientists and policymakers. ...
This open access book presents up-to-date analyses of community-based approaches to sustainable resource management of SEPLS (socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes) in areas where a harmonious relationship between the natural environment and the people who inhabit it is essential to ensure community and environmental well-being as well as to build resilience in the ecosystems that support this well-being. Understanding SEPLS and the forces of change that can weaken their resilience requires the integration of knowledge across a wide range of academic disciplines as well as from indigenous knowledge and experience. Moreover, given the wide variation in the socio-ecological makeup of SEPLS around the globe, as well as in their political and economic contexts, individual communities will be at the forefront of developing the measures appropriate for their unique circumstances. This in turn requires robust communication systems and broad participatory approaches.
Sustainability science (SuS) research is highly integrated, participatory and solutions driven, and as such is well suited to the study of SEPLS. Through case studies, literature reviews and SuS analyses, the book explores various approaches to stakeholder participation, policy development and appropriate action for the future of SEPLS. It provides communities, researchers and decision-makers at various levels with new tools and strategies for exploring scenarios and creating future visions for sustainable societies.
... Common challenges related to the outputs of SPIs included making scientific outputs policy relevant (Mishra et al. 2009;Vohland et al. 2011;Balian et al. 2016;Donohue et al. 2016;Nesshöver et al. 2016) and an inadequate scientific basis of outputs for policymaking (Koetz et al. 2008;Donohue et al. 2016). The production of highly relevant outputs of SPIs was most frequently cited as a solution, with the relevance of the output being enhanced typically through several rounds of communication between scientists and policymakers. ...
Using a case of the Sekisei Lagoon, Okinawa Prefecture, the southeastern tip of Japanese archipelago, this chapter discussed the interrelationships among the sectoral policy interventions by various marine-related ministries, and the whole structure of the integrated ocean policy. First, we developed the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Schematic, which summarized the main ecosystem structures, functions, use types, and the stakeholders relating to the Sekisei Lagoon. Then, sectoral policy interventions by various ministries were overlaid onto the SES schematic to graphically show their interrelationships. We found that the ecosystem structure and functions used by one sector is closely connected to other structures and functions, which are then used by other sectors. In other words, all the stakeholders in the social system are closely interlinked at the ecological system level. Secondly, all in all, sectoral policy interventions by various ministries are covering almost all part of the Sekisei Lagoon SES, and therefore, the total coordination of the sectoral policy interventions and the creation of the synergy effects are required. In this process, the cabinet office and the local government will play the important roles. Finally, this SES schematic can be used as a boundary object to facilitate the knowledge exchanges among various stakeholders including the policy makers, practitioners, and researchers, to share the common understandings of the current situation, and to cocreate the policy interventions for the sustainable uses of Sekisei Lagoon.
... Common challenges related to the outputs of SPIs included making scientific outputs policy relevant (Mishra et al. 2009;Vohland et al. 2011;Balian et al. 2016;Donohue et al. 2016;Nesshöver et al. 2016) and an inadequate scientific basis of outputs for policymaking (Koetz et al. 2008;Donohue et al. 2016). The production of highly relevant outputs of SPIs was most frequently cited as a solution, with the relevance of the output being enhanced typically through several rounds of communication between scientists and policymakers. ...
This book presents up-to-date analyses of community-based approaches to the sustainable resource management of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) in areas where a harmonious relationship between the natural environment and the people who inhabit it is essential to ensure community and environmental well-being as well as to build resilience in the ecosystems that support this well-being. This chapter introduces the key concepts and approaches, objectives, and organization of this book.
... This has generally resulted in local communities developing negative public attitudes towards wildlife which they now perceive as a liability instead of a resource (Sifuna, 2012). The conflicts with the local people become more severe when prohibition of resource use within PAs is coupled with various forms of mananimal conflicts such as crop raiding, cattle lifting, and loss of human lives and property (Mishra et al. 2009). ...
Establishing protected areas is a predominant wildlife conservation effort across Africa. Such strategy, however, has inevitable social and economic impacts to the local people. Social impacts and conservation require equal attention because it is the foundations for alliances with social groups to address common concerns. This makes social impact assessment a very crucial tool to understand the long run impacts of wildlife conservation on local people. Surprisingly, such analysis is insufficient and seemingly uncommon practices in Ethiopia. This short review examines scarcely available literatures on these matters and suggests the ways to maximize the positive and minimize the negative impacts of the sector. It is hard to understand the policies and positions of conservation sectors of Ethiopia on social impacts of conservation. Positive social impacts of conservation range from employment opportunities, improved infrastructural development to monetary gains. Negative social impacts include human displacement, lack of resource access, conflicts arising from enforcement activities, and human-wildlife conflicts. Several studies from different parts of Ethiopia have indicated the alienation of the local community and their subsequent antagonistic responses towards conservation efforts. Integrating conservation programs and local community minimizes the costs and increases the benefits of the local people. These in turn raise the social acceptance and success of the program. Wildlife conservation in Ethiopia still requires a detailed studies and practical improvements to equally address the social and biological needs of the sector.
... The role of human being in conservation is an important factor of the debate on rethinking the conservation issues (Kothari 1998;Berkes 2003;Manuel-Navarrete et al. 2006;Chettri et al. 2007;Mishra et al. 2009;Nautiyal 2011). In the conservation debate, opposite approaches are observed, viz. ...
The tropical regions of the world are highly vulnerable to the loss of biodiversity and the biodiversity of various ecologically important ecosystems in the tropics seems to be in jeopardy. The protected areas alone cannot conserve all the species and, hence, there is the need to expand the conservation approach beyond the boundaries of the protected areas. A study was carried out in two areas known for the conservation of bird species in India, viz. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (RBS) and Kokkare Bellur Village Ecosystem (KBV) in the state of Karnataka in South India. In RBS, the top-down approach is followed and bird species are conserved through policy instruments, whereas KBV is a rural ecosystem in which the social instrument has been introduced for the conservation of bird species. Two near-threatened birds Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) are conserved in KBV. KBV is one of the five last breeding sites for the globally threatened bird species, the Spot-billed in India. A study was conducted to document the avifaunal diversity using standard methods and understand various important aspects of bird conservation in both the sites. It revealed that both RBS and KBV efficiently conserved several important bird species and had completely different mechanisms to do so. This helped to develop a proper understanding on different facets of top-down and bottom-up approaches of wildlife conservation.
... One way forward would be to institute conservation education measures that highlight the ecological benefit of primates and reinforce the cultural significance of primates by reminding people about mythological tales that involve the valorous and godly deeds of primates. Street theatre and community plays are particularly apt mediums to popularize this message and have been used successfully in other wildlife conservation efforts (Joshi et al. 2007;Mishra et al. 2009). ...
Primate species, by and large, are culturally significant icons across their habitat. One of the more prominent expressions of this lies in the revered status of macaques and langurs in South and Southeast Asia, largely because of their religious status in Hinduism. People’s belief in these species’ sanctity often serves to protect them from physical harm or retaliation in conflict situations and thus strongly mediates their conservation. The nature of this interface has changed over the years of mutual interactions between the two groups. Trends in literature are useful markers of sociocultural developments in human life and reflect changes in human views with respect to the world around them. I investigated Tamil language poetical works from southern India to analyze people’s attitudes toward primates and changes in their views of primates over time. My findings suggest that sacredness was not a defining characteristic of human–primate relations in ancient times. The deification of monkeys occurred later and was largely driven by the growing popularity of Ramayana, the Hindu epic. The growing importance of religion in the daily lives of people and increasing urbanization subsequently led to the peripheralization of monkeys in people’s lives and narratives. Monkeys, once considered coinhabitants of a shared landscape, slowly began to be seen as animals with some human-like qualities that represent wild nature. The literary lens is thus a useful tool to map and understand changes in human perceptions of primate species over time and can be a powerful method in ethnoprimatology.
... Most NPs are situated in developing countries, whose high level of biodiversity results in greater emphasis being placed on further expansion of protected areas (Chape et al., 2003(Chape et al., , 2005; however, evidence suggests that pressures on biodiversity and natural resources (e.g., deforestation) are growing in line with increasing human population and anthropogenic activity, particularly in developing countries (Czudek, 2001;Hackel, 1999;Sodhi, Koh, Brook, & Ng, 2004). Biodiversity conservation and protected area management require social problems to be taken into greater account in conservation plans (Brandon & Wells, 1992;Mishra, Badola, & Bhardwaj, 2009). ...
Successful biodiversity conservation is closely linked to the support received from society. Therefore, a better understanding of public preferences for conservation activities facilitates successful conservation efforts. The objective of the study is to determine the preferences of tourists and local residents regarding the proposed conservation program of the northern yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) and its economic value in the Bach Ma National Park, as well as to examine the factors that determine their willingness to pay (WTP) for the gibbon conservation. The WTP was estimated with the dichotomous choice contingent valuation method, and data were collected using face-to-face interviews with 710 participations, including 352 Vietnamese tourists and 358 local residents. The logistic regression model was applied to predict the probability of WTP for the program. A number of factors were found to be significant predictors of WTP that included bid level, visit, awareness, knowledge, distance, family size, and education. The mean WTP amount was estimated at about US 2.93/household for one-time support of the gibbon conservation program. A significant difference was also found between the tourists and local residents in terms of the estimated WTP. Our findings suggest that there is a strong public support within Vietnamese society for the conservation of gibbons, which should be considered in the design of social policies for biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.
... The current tendency is to declare as many areas as wildlife sanctuaries (by keeping forest-dependent population as much out as possible) whether it is needed for the preservation of the targeted species or not. Though there are efforts to share some benefits of forest conservation to local communities (Mishra et al, 2009), their participation is not that notable in reality. Even though the protection of forests is desirable, it has been achieved by imposing a higher cost on a section of Indian society. ...
Este ensaio apresenta um levantamento dos principais problemas ambientais da Índia contemporânea e
especula sobre a relação entre a esfera econômica (subdesenvolvimento) e os resultados ambientais. A
continuação da pobreza e do subdesenvolvimento no país parece ter moldado a natureza dos problemas
ambientais que a Índia enfrenta. A defecação em locais inapropriados e a queima de biomassa para
cozinhar continuam a ser as principais fontes de poluição. Por outro lado, o crescimento econômico da
Índia vem sendo impulsionado pelo setor de serviços e, portanto, a poluição industrial não aumentou
a um nível esperado por um país em desenvolvimento, que vem testemunhando um crescimento
econômico acima de 5% durante as últimas três décadas. O artigo conclui com uma visão sobre a
possível relação entre desenvolvimento humano, meio ambiente e possíveis estratégias necessárias
para o desenvolvimento sustentável.
... Pro-community initiatives like the Integrated Conservation and Development Projects and Biosphere Reserves followed and were set up in India like elsewhere in the world. Some of these initiatives have been successful to an extent, at supporting local community livelihoods and building participation (Mishra, Badola and Bhardwaj, 2009) but have not been able to improve biodiversity conservation (Rao et al., 2003;Varma, 2009). ...
Protected Areas represent the world’s economic and political commitment towards the conservation of biodiversity. The Western Ghats (WG) in peninsular India, part of the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka Hotspot has the highest human population density and population pressure in the world and is in need of urgent conservation attention. Community Reserves and Conservation Reserves are protected area systems in India which integrate local communities as well as private organisations into protected area management. The potential for Community and Conservation Reserves was evaluated at 25 reserve forests and privately owned/leased forest fragments at Kodaikanal, Theni and Valparai, which are limited-access areas in the human-dominated landscape of the southern WG. Data collection at each site, on a range of issues, was based upon the characteristics of local communities which would be central to the integration of resource-use, community participation and biodiversity conservation. The sites where local communities preferred to participate in protected area management were further prioritized through ranking them for the variables and index calculated. Sixteen potential, community and conservation reserves were subsequently identified and prioritised. An analysis of the perceptions, of forest department officials and conservation researchers, towards the establishment of such reserves revealed that they were unsure whether these reserve systems would be beneficial for biodiversity conservation.
... For example, Bruguierols A, B& C were isolated from Bruguiera gymnorrhiza which actively inhibit the growth of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria including mycobacteria and resistant strains @ 12.5 µg/ml concentrations (Han, et al., 2004). FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) of leaves of Finlaysonia abovata and Excoecaria agallocha have exhibited the control of Micrococcus sp, Aeromonas hydrophilla, E.coli, Vibrio alginolyticus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, B. Pumilus and ebsiella pneumoniae due to the presence of antibacterial activity of fatty acids (Agoramoorthy, et al., 2007 andMishra et al., 2009). Mangroves are also rich in polyphenols and tannins (Achmadi, et al., 1994;Kathiresan and Ravi, 1990). ...
For a long period of time in history mangrove plant extracts have been used for various producing a wide array of novel products. Plant-derived substances have recently become of great interest owing to their versatile applications. Besides its general products, mangroves also provide many non timber products such as tannin, fish poison, medicine, food and fodder. Mangrove and mangrove associates contain biological compounds that are active antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal in nature. They also posses antifeedant, molluscicidal and pesticidal properties. Mangrove plants are a rich source of steroids, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Extracts from different mangrove plants are reported to possess diverse medicinal properties such as antibacterial and antihelminthics. The medicinal value of mangroves and their antimicrobial properties are discussed in this paper in brief.
... The social impacts appear near-irreversible, are poorly understood and will be difficult to resolve, making them all the more serious for tiger conservation management and policy to address. Tourism had discernibly affected community solidaritya crucial component of social capital (Dudwick et al., 2006) and subsequently impacted the ability of the local community to act collectively in support of forest ecosystem conservation objectives (see also : Mishra et al., 2009;Moore and Rodger, 2010;Rastogi et al., 2014). In the context of CTR, innovative community-driven institutions designed to regulate tourism could have potentially mitigated some of the negative ecological impacts being experienced outside PA boundaries. ...
This paper presents the results of research conducted in a village on the south-eastern boundary of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) which has experienced rapid and dramatic social–ecological change as a result of tiger-related tourism. Our aim was to better understand the impacts of wildlife tourism on the forest ecosystem, village structure, solidarity and institutions and consider the implications of this for tiger conservation management and policy. Our results indicate that while wildlife tourism established linkages between the village society and the global economy, it negatively impacted the local community and ecology. It also created a new village entity, tourist resorts, which are neither an individual nor a village member making dispute-resolution impossible under existing institutional structures. Our results suggest that future forest and conservation policy and management strategies should de-emphasize the monetary function of wildlife-tourism, and instead focus on building social capital and strengthening local institutions. This will likely increase the adaptive capacity of villages to the impacts of tourism and mitigate the associated ecological impacts.
... There have been a number of successful eco-development initiatives in India reported by Mishra, Badola, and Bharadwaj (2009), which have acknowledged that the poorest of the poor and socially vulnerable groups such as women, scheduled castes and tribes, and those below the poverty line deserve special attention in eco-development programs. "The practice of eco-development in India is based on the premise that ecological sustainability is closely linked with financial, institutional and social sustainability" (pp. ...
The paper aims to provide a description of the vision and present practices of ecotourism. Promotion of local livelihoods through ecotourism has been widely considered as an important policy instrument for biodiversity conservation. But ecotourism has become a hotly debated topic since its implementation across countries because of the mismatch in vision and practice. The paper uses content analysis method for reviewing published literature. Published peer-reviewed journal articles on ecotourism during 2000–2013 were collected and reviewed. The overall evidence on the outcomes of ecotourism in the world shows mixed results. Though there are many success stories, the list of failures is very high. Owing to the structural, operational and cultural problems, ecotourism in many places has become a predicament. Thus, ecotourism should be introduced with proper monitoring, evaluation and management of ecotourism sites for reinforcing long term conservation.
... In addition, due to the inherent nature of camera-trapping, the collection and analysis of data can be undertaken locally. Such localisation of data acquisition and handling will encourage local ownership and will empower communities, enabling the rapid development and implantation of management decisions to address issues and threats identified during the monitoring activities (Danielsen et al., 2005;Mishra et al., 2009). ...
... Since the biodiversity conservation incurs socio-economic and ecological ramifications, exclusionary principle does not work in conservation initiatives. A study by Mishra, Badola & Bhardwaj (2009) recognizes the bio-physical complexities and socio-political dimensions of biodiversity conservation need an integrated approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems. They further emphasize that biodiversity conservation initiatives cannot be thought in isolation of social issues such as sustainable livelihood, participation of poor and dependent group, women empowerment, strengthen the grass root level institutions and social capital in a society. ...
The future of human society is a mysterious conundrum, due to disturbances and interferences in the delicate web of life. The impacts of environmental destruction and climate change will absolutely be appalling and far reaching. Institutions across the world have already been engaged in every possible way to mitigate the impending holocaust. Conservation models are being developed, experimented, reviewed and disseminated for replication. But certain questions do surface here. Is there any uniform strategy? What are the components of the chosen strategy? How will the strategy be implemented? What should be the expected outcome? What are the benchmarks? Who will be the participants in the implementation phase? What are their roles and degree of involvement? How long is the period of implementation? What is the strategy for sustainability? These are few questions to mention. The present paper addresses all these questions by discussing the experiences of a participatory bio-diversity conservation programme endeavoured in a Protected Area (PA) in the southern peninsular India.
... For example, assistance has been given to communities to modify their existing infrastructure for homestays, cafes and camping sites, with minimal construction and capital requirements. This has provided the communities with alternative livelihoods, and developed their capacity to manage and sustain their livelihoods through training, educational tours, microcredit schemes and marketing and extension (Jackson & Wangchuk, 2004;Chandola, 2012;Mishra et al., 2009). This approach has established tourism as a viable livelihood resource, and provided the communities with a central role in tourism. ...
We evaluated the livelihood linkages of existing tourism practices in Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage site located in Assam, India. The main objective of the study was to assess the contribution of tourism to local livelihoods and suggest ways to strengthen these linkages. Focus group discussions and interviews of tourism service providers were carried out to identify their share of tourism income. A survey of tourists was conducted to examine the amount spent by visitors while visiting the park. The primary data was supplemented by secondary information obtained from the park office, service providers and records of village self-help groups. In 2006-2007, the total amount of money that flowed through the tourism sector in Kaziranga National Park was estimated to be US 3.27 million per annum. The balance of income flowed as leakage for purchase of supplies and logistic support outside the tourism zone. The financial benefits to local stakeholders may increase if the leakages could be prevented through planned interventions such as proper marketing of products from cottage industries and strengthening of local level institutions. In addition to wildlife viewing, promotion of nature trails and package tours may be encouraged in the buffer zones and adjoining forests areas to enhance tourist visitation to untapped sites that could provide additional livelihood options to local communities.
... In addition, due to the inherent nature of camera‐trapping, the collection and analysis of data can be undertaken locally. Such localisation of data acquisition and handling will encourage local ownership and will empower communities, enabling the rapid development and implantation of management decisions to address issues and threats identified during the monitoring activities (Danielsen et al., 2005; Mishra et al., 2009). Camera‐trapping approaches may also yield higher quality data. ...
Description of field methodology to use camera traps in Borneo
Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector in global tourism industry and provides for environmental conservation, socio-economic development, cultural preservation, employment and empowerment of indigenous people of ecotourism destinations. This study seeks to find the Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Ecotourism in Ubud Monkey Forest-Bali, Indonesia under the three dimensions of sustainable development; economic progress, environmental protection and conservation and socio-cultural preservation. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are used with the following conducted: (1) Questionnaire administration, (2) Interviews, and (3) Observations. Content Analysis and Multidimensional scaling (MDS) was implored to analyse the date. The Kite Diagram of Sustainability Analysis presents that the sustainability status of all the used dimension is classified as sustain. The overall sustainability status of ecotourism is sustainable with the index as many as 76.49. The most sustainable dimension is education and recreation, while the least is participation dimension. The results of this study confirmed that within the parameters of the study, the forest maintained an ecological balance, socio-economic advancement and cultural preservation. Ecotourism has high attraction potential for both tourist and local businesses while impacting less on the culture, environment and traditional practices of the Balinese people. Notwithstanding, there are a general land use changes and waste management problems in Bali
Most of the remote areas such as mountains and islands are characterized by the features such as remoteness, fragility, endemism, and upland/lowland or island/mainland linkages, besides richer biodiversity and indigenous knowledge, thus attracting a large number of quality conscious tourists. However, conventional “top-down”, reactive and ad-hoc approaches and ill-conceived “development” activities such as infrastructure for mass tourism will destroy the very natural and cultural resource base on which the tourism thrives in these areas. These trends have led to the paradigm shifts towards community-based, participatory, and pro-active management strategies. Appropriate strategies for integrating biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods by regenerating nature and culture for facilitating sustainable development of remote ecosystems in the third world are discussed in this chapter.
Participation by local communities in wildlife conservation projects have long been advocated since it is socially just and is effective to reach conservation and development goals. Socio–economic variables that drive participation and impact of participation have been studied, but the contextual process that stir up local community participation remains understudied. In this paper, we studied factors facilitating community participation in three wildlife conservation projects in Northeast India. Through ethnographic fieldwork at these sites we identified conservation actors and examined interactions between them.We found common modes of participation at these sites and these were related to gaining material incentives, providing labour, attending consultative workshops. Levels of interaction and coercion were found to be different in three sites. Three critical factors that drive participation were: (1) trigger, (2) negotiation and (3) sustenance. Trigger factors kickstart participation through establishment of a crisis narrative and facilitation by external actors. Negotiation factors emerge from day–to–day interaction between local community and external actors and involve effective entry stage activities, income opportunity, mediating voices within the community and intra–community dynamics. Sustenance factors affect the long term participation by community in the conservation project and involve tangible/intangible results, capability development of locals, funding and availability to critical information. In our paper we argue that investment of time and fund to understand the stakeholders and their concept of participation, periodic feedback sessions, capacity development of locals for self–mobilization, innovative information dissemination and securing long term funding are necessary for effective local community participation.
Participation by local communities in wildlife conservation projects have long been advocated since it is socially just and is effective to reach conservation and development goals. Socio–economic variables that drive participation and impact of participation have been studied, but the contextual process that stir up local community participation remains understudied. In this paper, we studied factors facilitating community participation in three wildlife conservation projects in Northeast India. Through ethnographic fieldwork at these sites we identified conservation actors and examined interactions between them.We found common modes of participation at these sites and these were related to gaining material incentives, providing labour, attending consultative workshops. Levels of interaction and coercion were found to be different in three sites. Three critical factors that drive participation were: (1) trigger, (2) negotiation and (3) sustenance. Trigger factors kickstart participation through establishment of a crisis narrative and facilitation by external actors. Negotiation factors emerge from day–to–day interaction between local community and external actors and involve effective entry stage activities, income opportunity, mediating voices within the community and intra–community dynamics. Sustenance factors affect the long term participation by community in the conservation project and involve tangible/intangible results, capability development of locals, funding and availability to critical information. In our paper we argue that investment of time and fund to understand the stakeholders and their concept of participation, periodic feedback sessions, capacity development of locals for self–mobilization, innovative information dissemination and securing long term funding are necessary for effective local community participation.
This chapter attempts to (a) identify the drivers of biodiversity degradation of the Sundarbans of Bangladesh, (b) present an alternative understanding on the measures for sustainable utilisation and conservation of resources and (c) suggest actions and policy alternatives to reverse the process of degradation and to move towards transformative harmonious human–nature interactions. While it is documented that the size of the Sundarbans of Bangladesh reduced and several floral and faunal species of the forest have been facing threat of extinction, the causes of continuous and unabated loss of the resources of this forest region have not been rigorously demonstrated. By challenging the mainstream approaches, the chapter theoretically and empirically exhibits that the exclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in the conservation and management process has contributed to the losses of biological diversity and suggests that the IPLCs have been practising several unique production methods based upon their traditional knowledge which can significantly contribute to the sustainable management of resources through symbiotic human–nature relationships. Following multiple evidence base (MEB) approaches, it is found that human sociality-based conservation practice positively impacts on resilient indicators and helps achieve Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
This article explains the implementation process of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (FRA) in the Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Gajapati district of Odisha. The status of implementation of FRA shows a lower rate of coverage due to higher information gap and remoteness of the areas. Many irregularities were observed in the FRA implementation process for which both officials involved in various states of FRA implementation process and forest dwellers were responsible. The progress of the Act need to be strictly monitor by an external agency along with the use of latest technology and services of local non-governmental organisations/self-help groups for the spread of information, capacity building and control of irregularities.
Most of the remote areas such as mountains and islands are characterized by the features such as remoteness,fragility, endemism, and upland/lowland or island/mainland linkages, besides richer biodiversity and indigenous knowledge, thus attracting a large number of quality conscious tourists. However, conventional top-down, reactive and ad-hoc approaches and ill-conceived development activities such as infrastructure for mass tourism will destroy the very natural and cultural resource base on which the tourism thrives in these areas. These trends have led to the paradigm shifts towards community-based,participatory, and pro-active management strategies. Appropriate strategies for integrating biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods by regenerating nature and culture for facilitating sustainable development of remote ecosystems in the third world are discussed in this chapter.
The Gujjar Rehabilitation Programme (Uttarakhand, India) is an integrated approach focusing on environmental conservation and providing better livelihood opportunities for pastoral Gujjar communities. The primary objective of this present study is to assess the response of rehabilitated Gujjar families to the resettlement Programme. Socio-economic assessments (e.g. livelihood status) of affected people at the two resettlement sites (Pathri and Gaindikhatta) were conducted. Resettled Gujjars reported enhancement of their livelihoods and many more children receiving schooling. Additionally, state government departments and several NGOs are making efforts to strengthen the prospects of Gujjar women through training and education programmes.
Globally, pressure from the illegal harvesting of wildlife is a recurrent issue for protected area management. In order to ensure the effective conservation of wildlife resources, law enforcement has been identified as one of the most important components of protected area management. Our study aimed at addressing the following two research questions: (1) what are the perceptions of law enforcement staff in Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe, about illegal hunting practices, illegal hunter’s characteristics, wild animals commonly targeted and trends of poaching in the park; and, (2) what are the suggestions for reducing illegal hunting and enhancing wildlife conservation in GNP ecosystem? Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire administered through interviews from 42 law enforcement staff representing 47 % of the total law enforcement staff in GNP from February to May 2011. Our results showed that 76 % (n = 32) of the patrol rangers perceived that most illegal hunters were between 21 and 30 years. Nearly all respondents (95 %; n = 40) reported that most poachers were residents of villages situated within 20 km from the boundary of GNP. Medium to large wild herbivores were reportedly the most illegally animal hunted species whilst large carnivores were the least illegally hunted animals. Most of the respondents (79 %, n = 33) perceived that poaching activities had declined in GNP ecosystem between 2005 and 2010 due to an increase in arrests. Increasing conservation awareness and education in adjacent communal areas would help to further reduce illegal hunting and promote wildlife conservation.
Many scholars acknowledge that people living within or adjacent to nature reserves should be part of conservation processes. However, studies indicate that tension exists between some government conservation models, vis-à-vis local residents' social attachments and sense of belonging to these protected areas. As tension may withhold residents from participating in conservation, it is critical to understand the nature of such tensions by considering how local residents express social values relating to the environment and its protection, and what influences these values. The objective of this article is to contribute to this body of literature by reporting on a case study of the Coleske residents living within the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve (BNR) in South Africa. It considers tension between them and the conservation authority, the Eastern Cape Parks Board (ECPB), about relocation options outside the BNR, as presented to this community by the ECPB. Findings indicate that many residents attach meaning to the BNR, mediated by their religious beliefs, which generates a sense of responsibility to protect it. This contrasts with what the authors argue to be conservation authorities' view of the BNR as a resource that needs to be protected from human interference. The authors suggest that a possible people-centred conservation strategy for the BNR will only succeed if the ECPB takes cognisance of the residents' attachment to the BNR, by providing them with a piece of land on the reserve.
Designating national parks and sanctuaries as "protected areas" involves the elaborate relocation and resettlement of communities once resident within these areas. However, as an instance of community relocation from the Kuno sanctuary bears out, resettlement has not led to improved living standards for the affected community; neither has it afforded a measure of protection for the threatened animals.
Theory dictates that conservation areas should be as large as possible. When money for their protection is inadequate, different considerations come into play.
The failure of conventional wildlife management in Eastern and Southern Africa has led several countries to implement community-based wildlife programs. We examine the assumptions these initiatives make about rural hunters, and describe how the programs attempt to induce individuals away from illegal hunting. Using game theory and a case study from Zambia, we find that these programs misunderstand some of the economic, political and social benefits of local hunting. As a result, community-based wildlife management schemes succeed in protecting some of the larger mammals only by virtue of their increased enforcement levels, not their ability to distribute socioeconomic benefits. Rather than support conservation, local hunters continue to kill game at a rate comparable to the days before the programs, although they have shifted their tactics and prey selection.
Integrated Conservation-Development Projects (ICDPs) attempt to link biodiversity conservation in protected areas with social and economic development in surrounding communities. The performance of ICDPs thus far has been hampered by numerous difficulties, many of which are strikingly similar to those encountered in rural development efforts. While many of these difficulties can be traced to specific design or implementation flaws, more fundamental conceptual issues pose a challenge for the approach. This paper highlights the evolution and performance of these projects thus far, and the conceptual tradeoffs inherent in linking conservation and development.
This paper is aimed at determining the population of aquatic birds in Periyar Lake for making comparable studies in future. A total of 23 species of birds were recorded. Of these 17 were residents and 6 winter visitors.
During the preliminary survey, 16 species of amphibians were identified. Of these 10 species are endemic to Western Ghats. It is an additional information on amphibians.
The designation of Protected Areas (PAs) for biodiversity conservation has had negative implications for communities that derive their sustenance from such areas. Apart from restrictions on resource use, there have also been instances of people being displaced from areas that they had inhabited and that had been designated subsequently as PAs. Movements for greater justice and rights of marginal communities, have been iing the destitution that displacement wreaks on communities, particularly tribals. The present paper describes in detail, an ongoing resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) exercise from the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh in terms of the rehabilitation package offered and the process of R&R. It also discusses the impacts that the displacement has had on the lives of the community in question. Finally, the implications of such relocation attempts for wildlife conservation are discussed.
Upgrading of Park Management inputs requires a fuller understanding of both biological as well as sociological issues. This assumes greater importance in high human density regions like Global Biodiversity hotspots. It is now becoming clear that parks in such zones need baseline floral and faunal studies in tandem with a documentation of biotic pressure profile in order to fully assimilate the new participatory approaches to the management. So far, such approaches are overshadowed by concern for livelihood issues of local human populations only. The impact of such livelihood patterns on park ecosystems, particularly in the case of RET species is not taken cognizance of while framing new prescriptions. Finally, monitoring such prescriptions would further refine management inputs through adaptive practices.
Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, the 17th Tiger Reserve in the country, located in the southern West- ern Ghats is a priority area for conservation of its rich floral and faunal diversity, both in terms of species richness and endemism. The forests of the Reserve are important catchment for many rivers and streams. A pioneering effort in involving local people in conserv a- tion has been in progress since 1995 in the Reserve. Attempts are being made by educating, motivating and involving people under the eco-development strategy with aims to bring in reduction in the dependency of local people on the resources of the Reserve and thus leading to habitat improvement, watershed develop- ment and overall conservation. THE Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) was established under the auspices of Project Tiger as t he 17th Tiger Reserve of the country during 1988. It is the only Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. The Reserve is sit uated in the Southern Western Ghats region (8°25'-8°53'N lat i- tude and 77°10'-77°35'E longitude) in the biogeographic provinces 4.14.4 (Deccan thorn forest) and 4.1.1 (Malabar rainforest). The Reserve comprises two adjacent Protected Areas (PAs) - the Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary, both in Tirunelveli district, as well as part of Veerapulli and Kelamalai Reserve Forests in Kayakumari district which was added to the Reserve during 1996. The total area of the Reserve is 895 km 2 , of which 537 km 2 is in the core zone.
The existing network of Protected Areas (PAs) in India is the major effort aimed at biodiversity conservation at the national
level. The sustainability of PAs is heavily influenced by local people who are largely dependent on natural resources (fuel,
fodder, minor forest products) for their livelihood. While all PAs are surrounded by historically resource-dependent communities,
several of them have villages within their core areas, too. This has necessitated an alternative approach to natural resource
management which aims to integrate the interests of conservation with those of the nearby resource dependent communities.
The case of the Great Himalayan National Park illustrates and incorporates the lessons from Integrated Conservation and Development
Projects (ICDPs) implemented elsewhere in the world.
This paper examines the attitudes of local people living in and around the forest corridor linking the Rajaji and Corbett National Parks, northern India. Door to door surveys were carried out, and using fixed response questionnaires people were interviewed to examine their views towards conservation and proposed alternatives to the forest resources for reducing biomass demand from the forest. The study revealed that in the area the concept of conservation of forests is well supported. Nevertheless, people are extracting biomass from the corridor forest for their sustenance. The dependence of the people on the forest is due to lack of alternatives to the forest resources, inability of the people to produce alternatives from market, and in some cases it is habitual or traditional. In a situation where forest resources will not be available, people without any alternatives to forest resources are ready to agitate against such rules. People who oppose such decisions are not always dependent on the corridor forest but are antagonistic towards the forest department and want to use this opportunity to retaliate by stealing from the forest. The former category of people are the ones for whom income generating activities would be important while the later category should be the targets of extension programs designed to establish permanent lines of dialogue with the forest department. To some extent human-animal conflict and apathetic attitude of the forest department are also responsible for antagonism of people.
The fences-and-fines approach (the American National Park model) to wildlife protection is now perceived by many conservationists to have failed in Africa. An alternative approach whereby rural communities are given ownership rights or custodianship and management responsibilities for the resource has been introduced under the name Community-based Wildlife Management (CWM) (also known as Community-Based Conservation or CBC). This new approach is currently under experimentation in many parts of Africa. It is based on a number of assumptions, one being that the communities are interested and willing to conserve wildlife on their lands. Using the Selous Conservation Programme (SCP) in Tanzania and seven other African cases, this paper examines the plausibility of this assumption.
Much of the spread of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) as an emerging family of approaches and methods has been lateral, South–South, through experiential learning and changes in behavior, with different local applications. Rapid spread has made quality assurance a concern, with dangers from “instant fashion”, rushing, formalism and ruts. Promising potentials include farmers' own farming systems research, alternatives to questionaire surveys, monitoring, evaluation and lateral spread by local people, empowerment of the poorer and weaker, and policy review. Changes in personal behavior and attitudes, and in organizational cultures, are implied. PRA parallels and resonates with paradigm shifts in the social and natural sciences, business management, and development thinking, supporting decentralization, local diversity, and personal responsibility.
Initiatives to link rural development and species conservation, known as integrated conservation-development projects (ICDPs), have been launched with considerable fanfare and funding around the world. Although ICDPs hold appeal as broader ecological efforts than the conservation and development strategies that preceded them, they also suffer conceptual flaws that may limit their appropriateness and potential sustainability, at least when applied to the protection of large African mammals.