Community Involvement in Geoconservation: A Conceptual Approach Based on the Geoheritage of South Angola

Alexandre Oliveira Tavares, Maria Helena Henriques, Artur Domingos and Abel Bala
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Alexandre Oliveira Tavares: Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra (Polo II), Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Maria Helena Henriques: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra (Polo II), Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Artur Domingos: Magistério Primário do Lubango-Nambambe, Lubango, Angola
Abel Bala: Instituto Superior Politécnico da Tundavala and Escola Secundária do 2° Ciclo/Quilengues, Huíla, Angola

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: In this work, it is argued that effective protection of geological objects displaying heritage value requires the local community’s involvement in all geoconservation actions, i.e. , inventory, evaluation, conservation, valuation and monitoring procedures, and not only at the final part of the process, when it is expected from local communities that the physical integrity of such objects is guaranteed. Community involvement in geoheritage inventory and evaluation procedures can be appraised by using a classification system that integrates both the geoheritage properties displayed by the geological objects and usually recognized by geoscientists ( i.e. , relevance grade) and the social role attributed to geological objects by communities outside Earth scientists that arise from the public perception of such objects ( i.e. , abstract perceptiveness). Using two case studies from southern Angola (Huíla Province) where both social and scientific components were taken into account in geoheritage evaluation procedures (Tundavala and Leba geosites), we propose a conceptual community-based model, which can be applicable to geoconservation purposes and actions in other African regions and converging with the main goals of the “African Alive Corridors” initiative.

Keywords: geoheritage; geoconservation; community involvement; management; sustainable tourism; Tundavala; Leba; Angola; African Alive Corridors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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