Social Change and Conservation

'This is a powerful book. It is about conflict, rights, process, professionalism, paradigms, power, politics, gender, biodiversity, sustainability and political economy. It argues a case for radical reorientation in the current conservation thinking, and argues it with empirical evidence and moral force. The chapters, individually and cumulatively, pack formidable punch. There is an alternative paradigm here which is practical, and which simply has to be the wave of the future. The question is not whether this paradigm will prevail, but how soon and how well. There is a wonderful opportunity for a win-win scenario, with gains both for people and for nature' - Rober Chambers, Professor, Institute of Development Studies, UK. 'This book should become the starting point of a worldwide public enquiry into the workings of institutions and international policies committed to conservation. The general public, who hove very generously supported the cause of conservation, have a right to know why many advertised conservation policies have not succeeded, where the real problems lie, what should be done in the future, and who we should turn to for help. These are some of the questions addressed in this volume' - Vithal Reian, Founder Member of the Deccan Development Society and the Confederation of Voluntary Associations, India; member of the Right Livelihood Award Jury, Sweden. Protected areas and conservation policies are usually established with only local nature and wildlife in mind. Yet they can have far reaching consequences for local populations, often undermining their access to resources and their livelihoods. "Social Change and Conservation" is the first comprehensive discussion of the social consequences of protected area schemes and conservation policies. Drawing on case studies from North America, Europe, Asia, Central America and Africa, it critically reviews current trends in protected area management, and shows how local people have been affected in terms of their customary rights, livelihoods, wellbeing and social cohesion. The loss of secure livelihoods ultimately threatens conservation, as poverty and environmental degradation intensify in and around protected areas. The leading authorities who have contributed to this ground breaking volume argue for a thorough overhaul of conservation thinking and practice. Krishna B Ghimire is a project leader at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD). Michel P Pimbert is a Director of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Switzerland). Originally published in 1997.