Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate

The resettlement of people from human-inhabited protected areas (HIPAs) is a contentious point in the people-and-parks debate. This article illustrates the setbacks that can arise from conservation-and-development projects where these two realms of local reality are separated through resettlement sc...

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Main Authors: Diaw, C., Tiani, A.M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/20558
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author Diaw, C.
Tiani, A.M.
author_browse Diaw, C.
Tiani, A.M.
author_facet Diaw, C.
Tiani, A.M.
author_sort Diaw, C.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The resettlement of people from human-inhabited protected areas (HIPAs) is a contentious point in the people-and-parks debate. This article illustrates the setbacks that can arise from conservation-and-development projects where these two realms of local reality are separated through resettlement schemes, rather than integrated. We rely on a comprehensive social, ecological, economic, and legal cost-benefit and risk analysis of the Korup National Park's resettlement program in Cameroon. After 23 years, in 2003, this program had reached a stalemate, with skyrocketing costs and near-closure of policy alternatives. The article suggests that ideology and policy combined to generate conservation failure, while inhibiting institutional learning and managers' ability to opt out of failing policies. We identify a nexus of three factors at the root of these problems: (a) legal fencing; (b) implicit policies; and (c) self-serving scientific myths. In the Congo Basin, where the architecture of protected areas was built around the tenets of "fortress conservation," legal reform is clearly needed to enable effective community conservation. We argue, nonetheless, that negotiated alternatives remain feasible even within the current legal strictures. Progress requires, however, that managers move away from past exclusionary policies and engage in genuine co-management work within HIPAs.
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spelling CGSpace205582025-01-24T14:19:52Z Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate Diaw, C. Tiani, A.M. case studies cost benefit analysis development projects conservation resettlement risk assessment national parks nature conservation The resettlement of people from human-inhabited protected areas (HIPAs) is a contentious point in the people-and-parks debate. This article illustrates the setbacks that can arise from conservation-and-development projects where these two realms of local reality are separated through resettlement schemes, rather than integrated. We rely on a comprehensive social, ecological, economic, and legal cost-benefit and risk analysis of the Korup National Park's resettlement program in Cameroon. After 23 years, in 2003, this program had reached a stalemate, with skyrocketing costs and near-closure of policy alternatives. The article suggests that ideology and policy combined to generate conservation failure, while inhibiting institutional learning and managers' ability to opt out of failing policies. We identify a nexus of three factors at the root of these problems: (a) legal fencing; (b) implicit policies; and (c) self-serving scientific myths. In the Congo Basin, where the architecture of protected areas was built around the tenets of "fortress conservation," legal reform is clearly needed to enable effective community conservation. We argue, nonetheless, that negotiated alternatives remain feasible even within the current legal strictures. Progress requires, however, that managers move away from past exclusionary policies and engage in genuine co-management work within HIPAs. 2010 2012-06-04T09:14:58Z 2012-06-04T09:14:58Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/20558 en Diaw, C., Tiani, A.M. 2010. Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate . Journal of Sustainable Forestry 29 (2) :221 - 251. ISSN: 1054-9811.
spellingShingle case studies
cost benefit analysis
development projects
conservation
resettlement
risk assessment
national parks
nature conservation
Diaw, C.
Tiani, A.M.
Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
title Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
title_full Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
title_fullStr Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
title_full_unstemmed Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
title_short Fences in our heads: a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
title_sort fences in our heads a discourse analysis of the korup resettlement stalemate
topic case studies
cost benefit analysis
development projects
conservation
resettlement
risk assessment
national parks
nature conservation
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/20558
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