In the past, South Africa was fraught with racial injustices resulting in the creation of a void between the country’s land reform and community conservation frameworks. The South African government has, over the past two decades promulgated a wide range of land laws to give effect to the property right contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) in order to close this void. Similarly, the government has promulgated numerous national and provincial conservation laws to give effect to the environmental right contained in the Constitution, moving towards a more people-centred approach to nature conservation. Collectively, these set the foundation for land reform and sustainable development. Despite this foundation, no single act comprehensively regulates community conservation in South Africa, resulting in a high level of fragmentation in both the legal and administrative sectors. This fragmentation, coupled with a division of responsibilities and a lack of coordination, has been a major factor hampering effective community conservation initiatives following the land reform process. It is against this background that this study proposes to examine and evaluate the legal frameworks applicable to community conservation and land reform, with specific reference to the relationship between community conservation, land reform and sustainability, and to establish the extent to which South African law provides for sustainable community conservation following the land reform process. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In the past, South Africa was fraught with racial injustices resulting in the creation of a void between the country’s land reform and community conservation frameworks. The South African government has, over the past two decades promulgated a wide range of land laws to give effect to the property right contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) in order to close this void. Similarly, the government has promulgated numerous national and provincial conservation laws to give effect to the environmental right contained in the Constitution, moving towards a more people-centred approach to nature conservation. Collectively, these set the foundation for land reform and sustainable development. Despite this foundation, no single act comprehensively regulates community conservation in South Africa, resulting in a high level of fragmentation in both the legal and administrative sectors. This fragmentation, coupled with a division of responsibilities and a lack of coordination, has been a major factor hampering effective community conservation initiatives following the land reform process. It is against this background that this study proposes to examine and evaluate the legal frameworks applicable to community conservation and land reform, with specific reference to the relationship between community conservation, land reform and sustainability, and to establish the extent to which South African law provides for sustainable community conservation following the land reform process. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The majority of Kenya’s wildlife exists outside the network of national parks and reserves, predominantly in private and community-owned lands. Although works must be acknowledged for having explored the community conservation approach, the body of research examining how Kenya’s wildlife conservation approach is being negotiated by local stakeholders and incorporated into local livelihood strategies is limited. Based on a case study of the Meibae Community Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, this study examines the motivations of local and non-local groups to pursue wildlife conservation. Viewed through a political ecology lens, this paper analyzes how local people moderate the influence of external conservation values and interests. Findings suggest that local people adopt wildlife conservation projects to access better systems of rangeland management, pursue strategic linkages with external stakeholders and develop basic industries. I conclude that this process represents how Samburu pastoralists strategically embrace externally driven wildlife conservation efforts in self-defining ways.

In  South  Africa  Community-­based  Natural  Resource  Management  (CBNRM)  has   recently  gained  popularity  as  the  dominant  approach  to  conservation  due  to  its  perceived   environmental  and  social  benefits  and  as  a  form  of  restitution  for  communities  that  were   forcibly  evicted  from  their  land  during  apartheid.  This  dissertation  investigates  the   disconnect  between  the  rhetoric  and  reality  of  CBNRM  in  South  Africa,  by  focusing  on   the  case  of  Ndumo  Game  Reserve.    It  aims  to  critically  evaluate  the  social  justice  and   economic  impacts  of  CBNRM  on  the  neighbouring  Mbangweni  and  Mathenjwa   communities.  It  argues  that  there  are  significant  tensions  between  the  community  focused   rhetoric  of  CBNRM,  the  predominantly  fortress-­style  of  conservation,  and  the  neo-­liberal   eco-­tourism  venture  at  Ndumo  Game  Reserve.  I  conclude  that  CBNRM  at  Ndumo  is   largely  guided  by  western  conservation  and  economic  ideologies  and  driven  by  the   support  of  state  and  private  interests  while  alienating  local  people  from  their  land  and  its   management.

The majority of Kenya’s wildlife exists outside the network of national parks and reserves, predominantly in private and community-owned lands. Although works must be acknowledged for having explored the community conservation approach, the body of research examining how Kenya’s wildlife conservation approach is being negotiated by local stakeholders and incorporated into local livelihood strategies is limited. Based on a case study of the Meibae Community Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, this study examines the motivations of local and non-local groups to pursue wildlife conservation. Viewed through a political ecology lens, this paper analyzes how local people moderate the influence of external conservation values and interests. Findings suggest that local people adopt wildlife conservation projects to access better systems of rangeland management, pursue strategic linkages with external stakeholders and develop basic industries. I conclude that this process represents how Samburu pastoralists strategically embrace externally driven wildlife conservation efforts in self-defining ways.

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) is a method of attaching market value to environmental benefits which have typically not been valued in the marketplace. This thesis investigates the impact of the government hydrological services program in two communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. Using interviews, semi structured and household surveys, I investigate the effect the PSAH has had in alleviating poverty and increasing social capital in the communities as well as investigate willingness to accept (WTA) payment for additional PES programs. The PES payments put household incomes above national poverty lines. Social capital improved both within and between communities. WTA for additional PES depends on the use of the land in question. Overall, participation in the PSAH has had a positive impact in both communities.

Rhinos are iconic species of ecological and economic importance in Africa. They represent their range states’ rich natural heritage. White rhinos, currently estimated at approximately 20, 000 animals, recovered from near extinction after heavy poaching and habitat destruction decimated numbers to 50 individuals in the 20th century. Between 1970 and 1992, black rhino numbers suffered a 96% reduction in Africa. Today, black rhino numbers are estimated between 5, 000 and 5, 500 individuals. Black and white rhinos are currently classified in IUCN’s Red List as Critically Endangered, and Near Threatened respectively. Very few studies investigate the potential effects of climate change on rhinos. Investigations on the cooperative impacts of anthropogenic activities and natural processes on the species are non-existent. We conducted a literature review to assess the status of rhino conservation. Potential climate change effects on the species’ probability of occurrence in five study parks in Africa were assessed using two IPCC-AR5 scenarios; RCPs, 4.5 and 8.5. Human influences on rhinos we evaluated based on urban expansion forecasted for the year 2030. Perceptions of communities surrounding Hlane Royal National Park in Swaziland towards rhino conservation were collected using questionnaires. Most of the interviewed community members expressed pro rhino conservation attitudes and interest in the prevention of poaching. We expect the changing climate to have negative effects on the occurrence probability of rhinos. Forecasts show urban land-cover expanding into areas surrounding rhino habitats by 2030. This could have implications in the creation of corridors to facilitate the dispersal of the species.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Montana, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 2, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 82-87).

<p>Cape Town is a unique city. It has a global biodiversity hotspot, in the midst of an urban area. Historically, nature conservation practice excluded and marginalized certain groups of people based on their race and class. This has led to peoples&lsquo / disconnection from nature. Rapid biodiversity loss is a major concern for conservators. In the last three decades, there has been a paradigm shift in conservation practice in certain parts of the world. The Cape Flats Nature programme based in Cape Town followed suit and aimed to stimulate a bottom-up participatory approach to conservation and replace the traditional top-down management strategy. The programme was tasked to reconcile the challenges of complex and conflicting relationships between urban poverty, unequal access to resources and biodiversity conservation. This study was aimed at investigating the relationships between conservation management, community partners and urban conservation areas. These relationships are vital for the progression of new conservation practice in places where people live and work. In addition, the transformative aspects of conservation in relation to social inclusion and the shift in conservation approaches was investigated. The study was conducted at five of Cape Town&lsquo / s nature reserves, Edith Stephens Wetland Park, Macassar Dunes, Harmony Flats, Wolfgat and Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserves. Data collection included in depth interviews with key informants from various conservation organizations, the Cape Flats Nature Programme team, the managers of the selected reserves and community partners. Others included observational methods and analysis of secondary data. It was found that relationships between conservators and local communities are not easily created and maintained but relationships regardless of its depth are equally beneficial to communities and the conservators. Balancing social needs with conservation needs is a struggle for conservators but many successes came in cases where this balance was realized. In addition, the transformation of conservators&lsquo / identity has changed community perceptions of conservation practice holistically. Although, many informants feel that transformation continues to remain unequal.</p>

<p>Cape Town is a unique city. It has a global biodiversity hotspot, in the midst of an urban area. Historically, nature conservation practice excluded and marginalized certain groups of people based on their race and class. This has led to peoples&lsquo / disconnection from nature. Rapid biodiversity loss is a major concern for conservators. In the last three decades, there has been a paradigm shift in conservation practice in certain parts of the world. The Cape Flats Nature programme based in Cape Town followed suit and aimed to stimulate a bottom-up participatory approach to conservation and replace the traditional top-down management strategy. The programme was tasked to reconcile the challenges of complex and conflicting relationships between urban poverty, unequal access to resources and biodiversity conservation. This study was aimed at investigating the relationships between conservation management, community partners and urban conservation areas. These relationships are vital for the progression of new conservation practice in places where people live and work. In addition, the transformative aspects of conservation in relation to social inclusion and the shift in conservation approaches was investigated. The study was conducted at five of Cape Town&lsquo / s nature reserves, Edith Stephens Wetland Park, Macassar Dunes, Harmony Flats, Wolfgat and Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserves. Data collection included in depth interviews with key informants from various conservation organizations, the Cape Flats Nature Programme team, the managers of the selected reserves and community partners. Others included observational methods and analysis of secondary data. It was found that relationships between conservators and local communities are not easily created and maintained but relationships regardless of its depth are equally beneficial to communities and the conservators. Balancing social needs with conservation needs is a struggle for conservators but many successes came in cases where this balance was realized. In addition, the transformation of conservators&lsquo / identity has changed community perceptions of conservation practice holistically. Although, many informants feel that transformation continues to remain unequal.</p>