Since they first emerged into the public consciousness in 1994, the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) has gathered considerable attention and support on the world stage for its struggle with the Mexican federal government over the issue of indigenous rights. The Zapatistas are now popularly viewed as indigenous rebels standing up for indigenous rights against the neoliberal economics. Yet comparatively less attention has been given to its struggles with the federal government over an area of protected land within the Lacandón jungle known as the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. The conflict is centered on a large settler population within the Reserve and whether it is a threat to the jungles viability. The environmental group, Conservation International (CI) believes that they are, yet the settlers enjoy the support of the EZLN, who opposes any attempt to move them. Despite this dispute, the two organizations claim seemingly similar goals. CI has declared that it is dedicated to local control over conservation projects. Meanwhile, EZLN has been fighting for greater local political power in regards to indigenous government. More striking still, is that this matter has placed the EZLN in direct opposition to the Lacandón Maya, even though it has portrayed itself as the defender of all of Mexicos indigenous people.<p>It is these apparent contradictions between the EZLNs political positions and the actual sides of the conflict that make the struggle over Montes Azules worth examining. Beyond the simplified statements of public platforms, the objections of the EZLN to the reserve and its supporters to the Lacandones position are rooted in historical conflicts over decision making on landholding. The EZLN feels that the government has constantly excluded indigenous farmers from decision making over this matter to their detriment and thus it feels that local control over land is a fundamental part of indigenous life. As such its position on Montes Azules must be understood in terms of how its ideas of being indigenous come into conflict with the Lacandón Mayas territory in the reserve and CIs position on the settler population. In this way indigenous identity is seen not merely as a matter of cultural significance, but a foundation for a concrete political agenda, which is articulated in the EZLNs stance over Montes Azules.

Since they first emerged into the public consciousness in 1994, the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) has gathered considerable attention and support on the world stage for its struggle with the Mexican federal government over the issue of indigenous rights. The Zapatistas are now popularly viewed as indigenous rebels standing up for indigenous rights against the neoliberal economics. Yet comparatively less attention has been given to its struggles with the federal government over an area of protected land within the Lacandón jungle known as the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. The conflict is centered on a large settler population within the Reserve and whether it is a threat to the jungles viability. The environmental group, Conservation International (CI) believes that they are, yet the settlers enjoy the support of the EZLN, who opposes any attempt to move them. Despite this dispute, the two organizations claim seemingly similar goals. CI has declared that it is dedicated to local control over conservation projects. Meanwhile, EZLN has been fighting for greater local political power in regards to indigenous government. More striking still, is that this matter has placed the EZLN in direct opposition to the Lacandón Maya, even though it has portrayed itself as the defender of all of Mexicos indigenous people.<p>It is these apparent contradictions between the EZLNs political positions and the actual sides of the conflict that make the struggle over Montes Azules worth examining. Beyond the simplified statements of public platforms, the objections of the EZLN to the reserve and its supporters to the Lacandones position are rooted in historical conflicts over decision making on landholding. The EZLN feels that the government has constantly excluded indigenous farmers from decision making over this matter to their detriment and thus it feels that local control over land is a fundamental part of indigenous life. As such its position on Montes Azules must be understood in terms of how its ideas of being indigenous come into conflict with the Lacandón Mayas territory in the reserve and CIs position on the settler population. In this way indigenous identity is seen not merely as a matter of cultural significance, but a foundation for a concrete political agenda, which is articulated in the EZLNs stance over Montes Azules.

Sacred sites in Ysyk-Köl area of Kyrgyzstan represent areas of land and bodies of water which are spiritually and culturally meaningful for local people. The present study mapped about 130 sacred sites, which are conserved-through-use by local communities and represent traditional model of conservation. The entire territory of Ysyk-Köl region is a formal protected area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Thus, sacred sites, as traditional model of community conserved area, are embedded in the formal government-run Biosphere Reserve. The study scrutinizes how these two models of conservation (sacred sites and the Biosphere Reserve) co-exist in the same territory and interact with each other. Results indicate that these two models are parallel. However, recognition of sacred sites can improve formal conservation by: a) providing a complementary culture-based set of incentives for conservation, b) fostering a biocultural approach, and c) serving as a communication hub for YKBR managers and local communities. / February 2016

The dichotomy of conservation vs. sustainable development has generated numerous debates since the introduction of the latter in the late 1980s. When UNESCO introduced the Biosphere Reserve concept in the early ‘70s, it drew even more attention to the matter. In the recent past, many initiatives to address the issue gained ground not only across Europe, but worldwide. This is the case of ecotourism, a responsible (and sustainable) form of tourism that takes place in natural areas, sustains local communities, and involves a learning experience. Even though it might look like the perfect tool to strengthen the link between conservation and sustainable development, especially in a Biosphere Reserve context, ecotourism faces many challenges. Through a case study of an Italian Biosphere Reserve that was recently awarded with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, Monviso Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, this research aimed at understanding local stakeholders’ stand onthe matter. A series of interviews were conducted and subsequently phenomenologically analysed to explore the possibility for ecotourism to act as a learning tool for sustainable development. Results show that ecotourism had some positive effects in the area, such as the creation of a network for collaboration between various stakeholders, among others. However, negative perception of ecotourism still play an inhibiting role, as it is not perceived asa sufficient source of income. It is discussed that this might be a consequence of two main factors: a lack of proper environmental education and the economic crisis the country is currently facing. Adjustments in the language and methods used in the educational system and a change of course at higher governmental levels might foster ecotourism to become a catalyst by being a learning tool.

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are the most endangered large carnivore in Southern Africa. There are as little as 5,000 individuals globally and less than 450 African wild dogs in South Africa alone. African wild dogs are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Therefore, the time has never been more crucial to conserve the species. With increased human encroachment and inhabitation in and around protected areas, so are increased conflicts between humans and carnivores. Human-wild dog conflict is likely to rise where a common resource is found. Human-carnivore conflicts have often been induced by the uncomfortably close inhabitation of humans in areas predominantly occupied by large carnivores. For this reason, it is becoming vital to establish a harmonious relationship between carnivores and humans. This research investigated the extent and causes of human-carnivore conflict specific to private landowners and the African wild dog in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa between April 2018 and January 2019. The causes of conflict in the Waterberg and levels of tolerance by the farmers for African wild dogs were investigated. The methodology was two-fold, using spatial analyses and an online survey. Three African wild dogs from the same pack were collared using telemetry collars (Tag 2651, Tag 2953 and Tag 3017). These data were used for the spatial analysis part of the research, using Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the African wild dogs’ home ranges, movement patterns, and proximities to commonalities with humans and preferred land use. The private landowners possibly experiencing human-carnivore conflict were surveyed using an online survey (n = 81), and this information was used to determine the extent of conflict and tolerance of African wild dogs amongst the farmers in the Waterberg. The information gathered will be used by the Endangered Wildlife Trust to develop an early warning system for private landowners affected by the presence of free-roaming African wild dogs in the area. In general, English speaking farmers in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve were more tolerant of African wild dogs compared with Afrikaans speaking farmers. Results also showed that areas near food and water sources are high potential conflict hotspots. The results also showed that African wild dog movement patterns in Waterberg Biosphere Reserve have an influence on conflict hotspot areas during denning season, wet and dry months, different phases of the moon, and overall hunting patterns of African wild dogs. This research facilitated an understanding of aspects of utilisation, persecution, and how to mitigate conflict between humans and African wild dogs within the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. / Dissertation (MSc (Environment and Society))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / GreenMatter Fellowship Mapula Trust Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) National Research Foundation (NRF) / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MSc (Environment and Society) / Unrestricted

No description available.

An academic contribution for the urgent work of sustainable development is to detect and analyze important factors of successful work for sustainability. This study explores the factors of social processes behind Sweden´s largest biosphere reserve, a model area for sustainable development, Nedre Dalälven River Landscape. The aim is to study underlying incentives in the establishment of a biosphere reserve to detect critical social factors in the initial work for sustainable development. Critical discourse analysis will serve as a theoretical point of departure but also as an analytical method since it connects external circumstances with individual perspectives. The data was collected through individual interviews, a group interview, participatory observations and document readings. Social negotiations in this study refer to individual needs, people´s relations as well as needs that concern organizational business relations. Information is collected as a combination of written sources, such as official documents and local papers articles, semi-structured interviews of individuals and a group interview. The result showed that the driving force behind becoming a biosphere, the local association NeDa, was important for the fellowship. NeDa was understood as public good and as working for the best of the community. The biosphere reserve was perceived as a confirmation of the capabilities of local people. The meaning of sustainable development was filled with local matters which enabled a biosphere reserve well established in the area. In conclusion, underlying social negotiations are critical for sustainable development locally.

The geographical area Eastern Vätterbranterna has since its initiation as a biosphere reserve according to UNESCO's appointment in 2012 worked towards being a model area in which sustainable development can evolve. This has been done from five sustainability perspectives: the ecological, social, economic, the perspective with broad cooperation and the learning perspective. In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted Agenda 2030 with its seventeen global sustainability goals and associated 169 sub-goals, which the biosphere association Eastern Vätterbranterna then woven into its work. This qualitative interview study has, with the focus on the biosphere association's seven active focus areas, investigated the biosphere association of Östra Vätterbranternas work with Agenda 2030 in collaboration with the Municipality of Jönköpings and its County Government, within the association, and other community actors. Cooperation has stood as a constant point through both interviews and through one of the questions of issue, conclusions can be established that the Östra Vätterbranterna had served to perform better cooperation within themselves. The Municipality of Jönköping and its County Government looks up to the biosphere association's work with Agenda 2030 and raises collaboration between them as a major success factor, but cooperation between the focus areas in the biosphere association has not achieved its full potential. Furthermore, not all of Agenda 2030's global sustainability goals have been included, but it is something that the biosphere association is constantly working on, which continues to develop all the time, and which can be achieved with the help of other community actors. Cooperation is the concept Agenda 2030 advocates for to achieve the goals and the concept that permeates the biosphere association Eastern Vätterbranterna. / Det geografiska området Östra Vätterbranterna har sedan uppstarten som ett biosfärområde enligt UNESCOs utseende 2012 arbetat mot att vara ett modellområde där hållbar utveckling kan rota sig. Detta har de gjort utifrån fem hållbarhetsperspektiv: det ekologiska, sociala, ekonomiska, perspektivet med bred samverkan och det lärande perspektivet. 2015 antog FNs generalförsamling Agenda 2030 med dess sjutton globala hållbarhetsmål och tillhörande 169 delmål, som biosfärföreningen Östra Vätterbranterna därefter har vävt in i sitt arbete. Denna kvalitativa intervjustudie har, med inriktning på biosfärföreningens sju verksamma fokusområden undersökt biosfärföreningen Östra Vätterbranternas arbete med Agenda 2030 i samverkan med Jönköpings kommun och länsstyrelse, inom föreningen, samt andra samhällsaktörer. Samverkan har stått som en stadig punkt genom både intervjustudien och genom frågeställningar har slutsatser kunnat etableras som att Östra Vätterbranterna hade tjänat på att utföra bättre samverkan inom sig själva. Jönköpings kommun och länsstyrelse ser upp till biosfärföreningens arbete med Agenda 2030 och lyfter samverkan som sker mellan dem som en stor framgångsfaktor, men samverkan mellan fokusområdena i biosfärföreningen har inte uppnått dess fulla potential. Sedan har inte alla av Agenda 2030 globala hållbarhetsmål inkluderats, men det är någonting biosfärföreningen ständigt arbetar med, som fortsätter att utvecklas hela tiden och som med hjälp av andra samhällsaktörer kommer kunna uppnås. Samverkan är det koncept Agenda 2030 förespråkar för att kunna nå målen och det koncept som genomsyrar biosfärföreningen Östra Vätterbranterna.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

In the past, protected natural areas have excluded local communities from the land and denied them access to valuable natural resources. However, it is becoming accepted practice to ensure that neighbouring communities benefit from the conservation of these areas. In accordance with their neighbour relations programme, the Natal Parks Board initiated a study to establish the need for indigenous wood in the region of the Thukela Biosphere Reserve (TBR), particularly for the woodcarving industry, and to determine sustainable methods and levels of harvesting. Part of this study was to determine the socio-economic issues surrounding the woodcarving industry and other users of indigenous trees, and these are addressed in this thesis. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted to address as many aspects of natural resource use as possible. The principle of sustainable development was employed to explore the nature of the often complex relationships between local communities and protected areas, and local communities and natural resource use. This principle calls for the integration of social, economic and ecological issues, with special attention to the notions of futurity, equity and the environment. The biosphere reserve is considered to be an appropriate vehicle for achieving sustainable development and the sustainable utilisation of resources, both internationally and in the South African context. However, in practice there are many obstacles to overcome as was observed in the case of the TBR, where security of land tenure and the associated control of and access to natural resources are a source of major conflict in the area. In view of this conflict, a flexible and sensitive methodology that promoted rapport-building was selected, namely Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA). Mainly verbal RRA techniques were used to gather information on the use of and demand for indigenous trees by the local communities residing within and surrounding the TBR. This information included species names, species uses, estimations of quantities harvested, perceptions of the resource base, conservation practices and harvesting techniques, economic relations, constraints, and relationships between the resource manager and the resource user. Indigenous trees were found to be an important resource for fuel, construction, medicine, carving, and to a limited degree, food, to local people living within and surrounding the TBR. The predominant uses of wood were for fuel and construction materials. Access to these resources varied, depending on the area or farm where people resided. People living in degraded areas outside of the TBR experienced great difficulty in harvesting wood for fuel or building, and either harvested it illegally off privately-owned land or purchased it at great cost. Generally, it was found that on farms where there were very few families present, residents were allowed greater access to wood compared to those living on farms where many families resided. There were also specialist users living in the area, namely traditional healers and woodcarvers. Limited information was collected on the medicinal use of trees. However, the preliminary data suggests that there is a great need for this resource. It was found that there are very few woodcarvers present in the study area. As the carving industry was the original focus of the study, detailed information was collected from these men. It was found that carved products are largely produced for local markets and included traditional weapons and traditional household implements such as meat trays and spoons. Carvers were finding it increasingly difficult to access wood, and the income they derived from this trade was supplementary. Although it is not perceived possible that the indigenous wood requirements of all local people in the area can be met by the resources within the TBR on an ongoing basis, management of bush encroachment may increase the supply of firewood and construction materials, especially to those farm residents who were experiencing difficulty in this regard at the time of the study. Through partnerships with more specialist users of indigenous trees such as woodcarvers and traditional healers, access to these resources too may be improved. Although more detailed and participative research is needed before substantiated management plans can be formulated, it is hoped that through this study a foundation will be laid to direct future research efforts, dispel misunderstandings, and be part of the effort required to ensure sustainable development of natural resources. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1996.