Natural resources: conservation and incomeAfrican Economic DevelopmentRenata Serra – March 27th 2007

Colonial conservation African nature is pristine and fragile Human activities threaten nature

Ex. of pastoralists Regulation and delimitation of resource use

“state parks” as the solution However, the strategy was self-defeating:

Conservation was at risk (illegal poaching) Entire communities were forcefully relocated Existing people-resource arrangements destroyed

Community management If benefits accrue to communities, conservation may

be ensured Twin goals of income-generation and conservation Democratic participation and decentralization

What types of income-generating activities can be sustained? Are they feasible?

What share of responsibilities between communities, state agencies, and NGOs? In particular, what property rights?

Examples Conservation-based tourism

Turner’s reading on Kruger NP NRM

Campfire in Zimbabwe Sale of non-timber forest produce

The Amani Butterfly project (T Brown’s talk: see http://www.amanibutterflyproject.org/index.htm)

The issues in Kruger NP The “legacy of dispossession”

The Makuleke are very poor, were relocated, and are now distant from their ancestral land

Unequal bargaining power Income-generating activities

Is tourism here a lucrative activity? How are the profits distributed?

Undefined land rights Conflicts within the community