CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2015
| Author | Pinto, Ruth Althea |
|---|---|
| Title | Walking in the forest: Tracing traditional ecological knowledge in field-level protected area management |
| Summary | The value of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in environmental management is increasingly recognised. Indigenous communities reside in and around most protected areas worldwide. Often, individuals from these communities are hired in field-level protected area management in the capacity of forest rangers. However, the role of TEK in field-level protected area management has largely been overlooked. This study explores the significance of TEK as a benefit of hiring local rangers in the field-level management of protected areas through a case study in southern Belize. Between January and March 2015, qualitative and participatory methods including participant observation, 10 in-depth interviews and one data verification workshop were used. This data were analysed through discourse analytic approaches. Results highlight the contributions made by TEK to field-level protected area management, in particular, its role in assisting with rangers‟ survival in the forest, the identification of illegal activities and biodiversity monitoring. It also identifies TEK as a benefit of local hiring. Greater recognition of the role of TEK in protected area management may also assist in the development of a cross-cultural conservation ethic. The development of a shared ethic, between local resource users and protected area management agencies, could increase local support for protected areas and empower local communities. |
| Supervisor | Pintér László |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2015/pinto_ruth.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University