scholarly journals Conservation narratives and conflicts over protected areas in post-socialist Romania

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-104
Author(s):  
Marie Louise Aastrup
Keyword(s):  
Political Ecology ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Park ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Post Communism

Environmental protection is never a controversy-free endeavor. Conflicts arise over land ownership, use, and access. Political ecologists have paid extensive attention to protected areas, especially in relation to power, rights, and marginalized peoples. This article draws on political ecology to examine a new proposed national park in the context of post-communism and neoliberalization in Romania. Using mixed-methods (semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and participant observation), this research investigates conservation narratives as articulated by different actors (environmental non-governmental organizations, local decision-makers, and local community members) with various levels of involvement in the proposed national park. Three chief narratives can be observed pertaining to tourism, restrictions, and deforestation. These narratives are embedded in the history and socio-economic context of the area, but also reveal the agendas of different actors regarding landscape values. Assessing these narratives, this research reveals how actors position themselves and the points of contention among the different actors in the brewing conflict that the national park represents.Keywords: Political ecology, conservation, conflict, power

scholarly journals Stakeholder Perspectives Towards National Parks and Protected Areas in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulelah Al-Tokhais ◽  
Brijesh Thapa
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Parks And Protected Areas

There is a genuine need to examine stakeholders’ perception of biodiversity conservation and tourism development due to overlapping roles and conflicting priorities among key governmental agencies in Saudi Arabia. The need to understand the role of each stakeholder group will assist to support policy formulation and implementation, along with effective practices. Within this context, the purpose of this study was to examine stakeholder perspectives towards National Parks and Protected Areas in Saudi Arabia. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 11 stakeholders’ representative of public, private, and non-governmental organizations from the tourism and conservation community. Findings revealed four main themes—tourism development, management issues, development challenges, and policy concerns. In addition, multiple sub-themes within each were further categorized. Overall, findings highlight the need to form a foundation for sustainable tourism development that aims to conserve biodiversity and provide opportunities for local communities to ensure economic growth. Implications for development in National Parks and Protected Areas in Saudi Arabia are also noted.

Access, Alienation, and the Production of Chronic Liminality: Sixty Years of Frontier Settlement in a Zambian Park Buffer Zone

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Cliggett
Keyword(s):  
Political Ecology ◽  
National Park ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Field Site ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Social Elites ◽  
The Government ◽  
Project Data

This article examines several decades of cyclical shifts in the political ecology of a Zambian national park buffer zone, where Gwembe Tonga migrants have pioneered land for ambitious livelihood dreams, while repeatedly encountering challenges from the government, development programs, and host populations. The buffer zone is a marginal space where people, land, and animals come together at different moments in time and in different constellations, never definitively secure, and never definitively exiled. In the confusion of recurring cycles of access and alienation, pockets of power form, including governmental and non-governmental organizations that arrive, temporarily create new social elites and then depart. These cycles of access and alienation have normalized socioecological uncertainty and instability, that is, a state of "chronic liminality" that has led to ongoing vulnerability for the region's people and ecosystems. The results are acute socioeconomic differentiation, alarming outbursts of violence, and visible changes in land cover. The article draws on ethnographic and geospatial data collected in the Zambian field site from 1995-2010 and also on the longitudinal Gwembe Tonga Research Project data.

Insights into Community Attitudes and Perceptions at Borakalalo National Park, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 002190962097057
Author(s):  
Ian Gordon-Cumming ◽  
Kevin Mearns
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Park ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Meaningful Participation ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions

Meaningful community participation is core to the long-term success of protected areas. Hence, it is important to understand what drives neighbouring community attitudes and perceptions. This study sought to determine local community attitudes towards conservation and protected areas, as well as their perceptions of benefits and participation at Borakalalo National Park. Semi-structured interviews were held with experienced park officials, while a structured household survey and focus group discussions were conducted across five surrounding villages. The results highlighted a number of interesting findings, including widespread support for biodiversity conservation and protected areas offset by considerable negativity towards Borakalalo itself. It was also determined, despite stated co-management policies, community residents perceived there was little meaningful participation and benefits were poorly communicated and unfairly distributed. Pragmatic suggestions were made for jointly developing more effective participation with the communities, despite limited available resources.

scholarly journals Factors influencing ecotourism in Wasur national park Merauke regency

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-126
Author(s):  
Samel W. Ririhena ◽  
Alexander Phuk Tjilen ◽  
Edi Cahyono ◽  
Inez Cara Alexander Phoek
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Government Planning ◽  
The Government

Government planning to promote tourism in Indonesia, including national parks, needs to be more serious to have a positive impact on the economic welfare of a region and the welfare of the community, the same things for Wasur National Park (TNW) in Merauke, Papua Province, Indonesia. This paper reports on the determinant factors of TNW's role in its management as ecotourism and conservation parks. This study uses qualitative methods, with semi-structured interviews and face-to-face. Interviews were conducted with the Department of Tourism, TNW managers, Non-Governmental Organizations, community leaders, religious leaders and researchers from Musamus University and field observers. This research results as follows: TNW has a tourist attraction in the form of a natural panorama consisting of several different spots, many tourists who are not recorded (do not pay entrance fees). Lodging and culinary facilities are still managed traditionally. Therefore, foreign tourists bring their own equipment and needs. In general, transportation to TNW is relatively expensive. The Local Government provides buses for transportation from Merauke Regency to TNW, but tourists prefer renting a car. Local wisdom has contributed so that the natural conditions of TNW are still well preserved and most are still natural. On the other hand, there has not been a serious effort to promote TNW and partnership cooperation with related industries to optimize the potential of TNW has not been done much. The results of this study are crucial for the Government, industry, and the community in a joint effort to optimize the potential of TNW ecotourism to obtain a positive impact on economic life, improve community welfare and conservation.

scholarly journals Public health risk factors at music festivals: “Be Safe Lab” initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Beržanskytė
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Integrated Services ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Music Festivals ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

Abstract Background At large public events such as music festivals there is an increased exposure to the risk factors as alcohol, tobacco and narcotics, unprotected sex, trauma and violence. Non-governmental organizations engage in prevention and support activities at such events. An initiative “Be Safe Lab” has developed in Lithuania to reduce the likelihood of adverse events due to harmful behavior at public festivals. Study Aim To investigate the experience of operating the “Be Safe Lab” initiative at Lithuanian music festivals. Methods In this qualitative study the data were collected from five “Be Safe Lab” volunteer staff using semi-structured interviews lasting in average of 50 minutes. The main guidelines were prepared and informants were asked to tell in general about the initiative, motives and reasons to develop the initiative, its goals and tasks, the questions that visitors apply to them, challenges and obstacles, personal experience in the initiative. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke (2013). Results The analysis revealed 6 main themes: principles of the initiative, variety of services, substance use harm reduction, changes of volunteers' perspectives, the role of teamwork, and initiative challenges. Conclusions The initiative has a number of strengths and challenges. Integrated services are provided not just to drug users, but also to other festival visitors who seek help or advice. The volunteer staff must have special skills, competencies and medical knowledge. The harm reduction measures for drugs and psychoactive substances used in the initiative are believed to be effective and attract music festival visitors. Initiative volunteers benefit both personally and professionally from providing services. However, further success of the initiative requires additional financial support, training, and collaboration with institutions providing emergency medical services at music festivals. Key messages Integrated services are provided to any festival visitor who seek help from “Be Safe Lab” specialists. The initiative volunteers benefit both personally and professionally from providing services.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Investigation on Work in NGOs: The Case of Songkhla Province of Thailand

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Phathara-on Wesarat ◽  
Mohmad Yazam Sharif ◽  
Abdul Halim Abdul Majid
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Meaning Of Work ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Depth Interviews

The concept of work in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) specifically in Songkhla province of Thailand is highlighted in this paper. The study assumed that the meaning of work in NGOs is different from other types of organizations such as business and governmental organizations. NGO operations are seen to be different in terms of their goals when compared to those organizations. Even though research on work had been widely conducted in the business as well as the governmental sectors worldwide, few studies on this issue had been done in the NGO or non-profit sector. The concept of work in NGOs needs to be explored further in order for interested parties to get a true understanding of the nature of work in NGO sector. The research questions posed in this paper relate to how and why the work in NGOs influences the NGO professionals. The objective of this paper is to present some findings based on an in-depth study on the meaning of work in NGOs. This study consists of two core aspects of work: subjective and objective aspects. The respondents in this paper were 16 professionals (i.e. university graduates) selected from five local NGOs in Songkhla province of Thailand. This study used a mixed method within qualitative approach comprising in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and secondary documents. This study showed that the NGO professionals had given high values on the subjective aspects of work because they were seeking fulfillment from work, while the objective aspects of work were seen to be less important to them.

scholarly journals Disaster response and recovery in two informal settlements: A local government perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 606-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu ◽  
Malcolm Alan Henworth Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
The Impact

Informal settlements in urban areas have long been afflicted by disasters and exposed to exploitation by politicians, shacklords, academics, journalists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), tavern owners and government officials. This problem is caused to some degree by limited land for expansion which has resulted in the creation of highly densified and unplanned, irregular settlements using poor, combustible building materials. The purpose of the article is to investigate whether eThekwini Municipality’s strategies are sufficient to respond to and recover from the impact of disasters. The research was undertaken at the Foreman and Kennedy Road informal settlements located in Clare Estate, under Ward 25, in Durban within eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (refer to Annexure 1). These areas are very important politically as they are densily populated and highly contested between political parties and local resistant’s organizations such as Abahlali baseMjondolo. Questionnaires were self-administered to a sample size of 220 of which 140 respondents completed the questionnaires, thereby generating a response rate of 63.6%. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with municipal officials. The findings indicate that 44.3% of the victims of disasters received assistance from NGOs and regard civil society as playing an important role after disasters compared to 7.1% of the responding municipal officials.

scholarly journals Repenser Le Rôle Des Institutions De Conservation De La Nature À L’ère De La Globalisation En Afrique: À Propos Du Parc National De La Salonga (RDC)

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Mampeta Wabasa Salomon
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Park ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
The Other ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Contemporary Management

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the protectionist conservatism influenced by colonialism, which exploited African countries for the prosperity of the colonizing countries, still has a high visibility in the Salonga National Park (PNS). If, in theory, the Central Africans seem to free themselves from the colonial powers on their land, in practice they are still there. The hostility of settlers who have become neo-colonists to the development of Central Africa remains intact, he adds (Ndinga, 2003). This reflects a "logic from above" that has disregarded local values. Yet, in the era of sustainable development and globalization, African protected areas appear to be essential tools for States to reposition themselves in a complex set of actors with the aim of capturing and using the new environmental rent (Giraut, Guyot, & Houssay-Holzschuch, 2003). This is a "bottom-up logic", placing people at the heart of all activities and aiming to reorganize their long-term relationships with the environment. From these two logics, a third "logic from the other side" emerges, reflecting a collective awareness of the fragility of the planet. The restoration of the rights of Africans in the various national frameworks constitutes a major challenge for the contemporary management of African protected areas. Because the protected areas inherited from the different colonial systems must accompany the change in management methods and the redefinition of their functions in order to better serve the local community in the long-term.

Positive effects of earthquake from the perspective of people with physical disability in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Pakjouei ◽  
Aidin Aryankhesal ◽  
Mohammad Kamali ◽  
Hesam Seyedin ◽  
Mohammad Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Physical Disability ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge Enhancement

Purpose Earthquake usually causes death, injury, disability and destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and people with disabilities are usually affected more than healthy people. As undesirable experiences may also have positive outcomes, this study aims to investigate the experiences of PWD and identify the positive effects of earthquakes on them in Iran, as an earthquake-prone country. Design/methodology/approach In this qualitative study, 20 participants were selected purposively among those having physical disability, aged 23-55 years and with experience of an earthquake. Their opinions were collected using semi-structured interviews. Analysis was performed using thematic approach and MAXQDA software was used to organize the data. Findings The positive effects of earthquake were categorized into five main themes: promotion of preparedness, knowledge enhancement, improvement of structures, socio-economic improvement (economic situation enhancement and social cohesion promotion) and outstanding role of national and international non-governmental organizations. Originality/value Although disasters are generally unpleasant, in the long term, they can result in positive effects and may be considered as opportunities to improve the situation and eliminate certain limitations. It is also important to learn from experiences of people with disabilities and apply the lessons learned, for enhancing preparedness and providing better services in the response phase of disaster management. Additionally, paying attention to the positive attitudes of such people, with special conditions and limitations, indicates their enhanced resilience to cope with disasters and emergencies, including COVID-19, which should be taken into consideration by policymakers and planners in future programs.

scholarly journals Information brokerage in Caribbean coral reef governance networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-294
Author(s):  
Rachel A Turner ◽  
Johanna Forster ◽  
Angelie M Peterson ◽  
Robin Mahon ◽  
Clare Fitzsimmons
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Reef Management ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Governance Networks ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reef

SummaryPoor connectivity between diverse resource users and complex wider governance networks is a challenge in environmental governance. Organizations that ‘broker’ interactions among these relationships are expected to improve governance outcomes. Here, we used semi-structured interviews and social network analysis to identify actors in positions to broker coral reef-related information to and from resource users and to assess the performance of these brokers. Representatives (n = 262) of actor groups were interviewed, including local and national government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community organizations and resource user groups from 12 communities across four Caribbean countries, to map information-sharing networks and to identify brokers. Broker performance was assessed through separate interviews with coral reef resource users (n = 545). The findings show that marine NGOs were the highest-functioning brokers. Where such local-level organizations were absent, government agencies in reef management roles acted as brokers, but their performance was lower. Actors in brokerage positions did not always effectively share information, with broker performance being positively correlated with network brokerage scores. The results further our understanding of the roles of brokers in different governance contexts. Identifying those in brokerage positions and supporting their roles in connecting local resource users to wider governance networks could encourage functional brokerage and enhance reef management outcomes.

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