Building Bridges For Conservation

Governments in countries like India have launched ambitious efforts to conserve natural habitats and wildlife. While in many cases achieving considerable success, these efforts have also caused serious conflicts between wildlife officials and local communities who are traditionally dependent on these resources for their livelihood. These conflicts, along with increasing developmental and commercial pressure, are threatening the future of virtually all wildlife habitats, including protected areas. The suffering that local people have been subjected to has also been enormous. Over the first half of the 1990s, alternative paths to conservation have increasingly been discussed in India and other tropical countries. To a limited extent, such alternatives arc also being tried out on the ground. A part of their inspiration comes from widespread efforts by communities themselves to regenerate and protect their surrounding areas, but there are also examples of bold initiatives by government officials to meaningfully involve people in their work. As part of a 14-month project carried out by a team at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, the above issues were explored through action research in three specific protected areas (Dolma Sanctuary, Rajaji National Park, Kailadevi Sanctuary) and through conceptual work on several issues related to people's involvement in conservation. A survey was also done on experiences of people's involvement in other countries, and lessons from these relevant for India. Possibilities for changing the relevant laws, including suggestions for an expanded system of protected area categories, were explored. The book contains results from all the above, a detailed bibliography on the subject, and related statements from dialogues initiated by the research team. The book will be of use to protected area managers, NGO activists, researchers, and others who are working on issues of conservation and livelihood rights.