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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:'Conservationists' and the 'local people' in biodiversity conservation: the case of Nech Sar National Park, Ethiopia
Authors:Kelboro, Girma
Stellmacher, Till
Hoffmann, VolkerISNI
Year:2013
Periodical:Ethiopian Journal of the Social Sciences and Humanities (ISSN 1810-4487)
Volume:9
Issue:1
Pages:29-55
Language:English
Geographic term:Ethiopia
Subjects:national parks and reserves
biodiversity
environmental policy
indigenous knowledge
External link:https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejossah/article/view/90015
Abstract:Studies on biodiversity in Africa show its rapid loss and degradation. This is commonly associated with non-sustainable use by local people. Across Africa, extensive systems of protected areas (PAs) have been established to mitigate this trend. Creation of PAs, however, resulted in manifold conflicts with people who depend on the use of the PAs' natural resources for their livelihoods. This study analyzes differences in knowledge and perceptions between conservationists and pastoralists in Nech Sar National Park, Ethiopia, and suggests ways of integrating these knowledge systems, and translating them into practices. Pastoralists who live inside the park describe changes in biodiversity by observing important trees, grasses, and larger wild animals based on traditional ecological knowledge. Conservationists tend to rely on standard scientific methods and 'expert' observations to evaluate temporal and spatial changes of biodiversity. The pastoralists relate biodiversity loss to the prohibition of their traditional land management practices by the park authorities. Conservationists take the local people's increased and non-sustainable resource utilization as a cause. The authors argue that improved knowledge exchange and understanding can be generated through more participatory and transdisciplinary research which can contribute to the development of innovative management approaches for the park that better integrate local peoples' livelihood needs. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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