What is the social relevance of community-based conservation?
Conservation is inherent in humans; instead, conservation is all about humans. Throughout history, nature and culture have coexisted, and culture often — unintentionally — preserves nature. Unfortunately, traditional conservation practices largely ignored this vibrant connection. This disregard resulted in the displacement of millions of people from their ancestral lands, creating a need for a movement known as “community-based conservation”. Led by local communities that have thrived in nature for generations, community-based conservation supports biodiversity and fosters inclusivity, stewardship, social cohesion, and empowerment among community members. This article explores the various dimensions of social relevance in community-based conservation, highlighting the importance of integrating people into conservation for a more sustainable and equitable future.
What is community-based conservation?
Conservation does not mean one cannot benefit from the resources; it means using them sustainably. Community-based conservation refers to the active participation of local communities in the sustainable use and management of natural resources. It recognizes that local communities have valuable knowledge, cultural traditions, and an absolute interest in the long-term well-being of their ecosystems.
At this point, one might wonder whether these communities understand conservation sciences and how to help us do any better conservation. Well, the straightforward answer is yes. Indeed, we need a trust-based network of people on the ground; the collaborative nature of community-based conservation can turn a lost battle into a big success. I believe that “If every citizen in a country understands and supports conservation, as a result, conservation causes and initiatives become more attainable”.
Let me explain to you with an example.
Dr Purnima, a conservationist, recognized that the local people in Assam, India, viewed the endangered Greater adjutant stork as a bad omen and disease carrier, leading to their mistreatment and endangerment. To change this perception, she initiated a public relations campaign to educate the community about the bird’s role as a scavenger and its importance in the ecosystem. By targeting women and promoting community ownership of the species, Dr Purnima’s community-led conservation effort resulted in a significant increase in the stork population, exemplified by the growth of nests from 28 to 200 in one Assam village. This success demonstrates the significance of community-led conservation.
The social benefit of community-based conservation
Are there any benefits to communities doing community-based conservation? Nature alone does not get the benefits of community-based conservation. Instead, nature pays back communities in its way. Let’s understand what community-based conservation offers the community.
Social Cohesion: Community-based conservation fosters collaboration, cooperation, and collective action among community members. It strengthens social ties and builds a sense of unity, creating a shared purpose and collective responsibility towards conservation goals.
Empowerment: By involving local communities in conservation efforts, community-based conservation empowers individuals to take an active role in decision-making, resource management, and environmental stewardship. This empowerment leads to increased self-confidence, a sense of ownership, and a stronger voice within the community.
A great example of social cohesion and empowerment is Nakusontelon, the beginning of all beauty, an African tribe. Jeneria, a tribal man and Samuru warrior, initially felt anger and the urge to kill lions after his livestock was attacked. However, he possessed a unique sense of coexistence. Instead of resorting to violence, he took on leadership and formed a group with other Samuru warriors. Their mission was to track lions and alert the community about their whereabouts, enabling them to protect their livestock without harming the lions. Jeneria’s transformation from seeking revenge to saving the lions exemplifies his leadership and commitment to coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Livelihoods and Economic Opportunities: Community-based conservation can provide sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. It promotes the development of eco-friendly businesses, such as ecotourism or sustainable agriculture, which can generate income and improve livelihoods while preserving natural resources. In India, a great example of this is the Tiger Conservation initiative. The sustainable development of tourism across tiger reserves in India has provided ample economic opportunities for local communities. Now, communities and tigers flourish side by side.
Cultural Preservation: Community-based conservation often respects and values local cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. It provides a platform for communities to preserve their artistic practices, indigenous knowledge systems, and traditional ecological knowledge, fostering cultural resilience and identity. Communities preserve their culture and traditional practices to entertain tourists visiting nearby conservation areas, such as Kerala.
Equity and Social Justice: Community-based conservation aims to address social inequities and ensure that the benefits of conservation are shared relatively within the community. It promotes inclusivity, participation, and the recognition of diverse perspectives, aiming to avoid marginalization and promote social justice.
Challenges and potential solutions
Community-based conservation initiatives often encounter challenges such as conflicts of interest and power dynamics. In some cases, disagreements within the community or concentrated decision-making authority can hinder the implementation of effective conservation practices. Building trust and fostering a sense of inclusivity and equity among community members is crucial to addressing these challenges.
One possible solution is establishing trust by actively involving the community in decision-making and valuing their opinions. Seeking their advice and input on various matters demonstrates that every person’s perspective matters. The community can achieve this inclusivity by assigning small responsibilities to different groups, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.
Encouraging collective decision-making processes allows diverse perspectives to be considered and ensures decisions are not solely reliant on one person or a select few. When appropriate, acknowledging the contributions and efforts of community members further strengthens their sense of involvement and importance in conservation initiatives.
Implementing these strategies can help community-based conservation initiatives overcome challenges related to conflicts of interest and power dynamics. The active involvement of the community, inclusivity in decision-making, and equitable distribution of responsibilities create an environment where community members feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to conservation efforts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, community-based conservation emerges as a powerful approach that recognizes the intrinsic link between nature and culture, emphasizing the social relevance of conservation efforts. By actively involving local communities, community-based conservation supports biodiversity and fosters social cohesion, empowerment, and equitable development. The positive impact of community-led conservation becomes evident through examples such as the transformation of perceptions towards the Greater adjutant stork and the sustainable tourism initiatives in tiger reserves. Despite conflicts of interest and power dynamics, promoting inclusivity, trust-building, and collective decision-making within community-based conservation initiatives can help overcome these obstacles. Community-based conservation paves the way for a sustainable future where both nature and communities can thrive harmoniously by valuing diverse perspectives, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.
