Protected Area Governance and Its Influence on Local Perceptions, Attitudes and Collaboration

Jesse Sey Ayivor, Johnie Kodjo Nyametso and Sandra Ayivor
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Jesse Sey Ayivor: Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
Johnie Kodjo Nyametso: Department of Environment and Development Studies, Central University, Accra, Ghana
Sandra Ayivor: College of Education and Human Services, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

Land, 2020, vol. 9, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: Globally, protected areas are faced with a myriad of threats emanating principally from anthropogenic drivers, which underpins the importance of the human element in protected area management. Delving into the “exclusive” and “inclusive” approaches to nature conservation discourse, this study explored the extent to which local communities collaborate in the management of protected areas and how the governance regime of these areas influences local perceptions and attitudes. Data for the study were collected through stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions as well as a probe into participating groups’ collective perceptions and opinions on certain key issues. A total of 51 focus group discussions were held in 45 communities involving 630 participants. The analysis was done using qualitative methods and simple case counts to explain levels of acceptance or dislike of issues. The results showed that the objectives of state-managed protected areas, by their nature, tend to exclude humans and negatively influence local perceptions and attitudes. This, in addition to human-wildlife conflicts and high handedness by officials on protected area offenders, affects community collaboration. The study concluded that for protected area management to be effective, effort must be made to positively influence local perceptions and attitudes by promoting “win-win-win” partnerships among all stakeholders.

Keywords: local collaboration; governance regime; local attitudes; local perceptions; protected area (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:9:p:310-:d:407855

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