Conservation as social and political process

Conservation is not solely a biological or ecological endeavor; it is deeply intertwined with social and political processes.

Here’s how conservation operates as a social and political process:

1. Values and Beliefs: Conservation involves societal values, beliefs, and norms regarding nature and the environment. These values shape attitudes towards conservation efforts and influence public support or opposition to conservation policies and initiatives. Different cultural, religious, and socio-economic groups may hold diverse perspectives on conservation, leading to conflicts over conservation goals and priorities.
2. Power Dynamics: Conservation is inherently political, involving power dynamics among various stakeholders, including governments, corporations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local communities, and indigenous peoples. Power imbalances often determine who has control over natural resources, decision-making processes, and benefits derived from conservation efforts. Conservation policies and practices can perpetuate existing inequalities or empower marginalized groups to participate in decision-making and resource management.
3. Policy Making and Governance: Conservation policies are shaped by political processes, institutional frameworks, and governance structures at local, national, and international levels. Governments enact laws, regulations, and incentives to protect biodiversity, manage natural resources, and address environmental challenges. International agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), provide frameworks for global conservation efforts but also reflect geopolitical interests and power dynamics among nations.
4. Land Tenure and Rights: Conservation often involves land-use decisions and conflicts over land tenure and rights. Indigenous peoples, local communities, and rural residents have traditional or customary rights to land and natural resources in many conservation areas. However, these rights are often overlooked or undermined by conservation policies that prioritize biodiversity conservation or exclude local communities from protected areas. Recognizing and respecting the land tenure and rights of indigenous peoples and local communities is essential for effective and equitable conservation.
5. Environmental Justice: Conservation intersects with issues of environmental justice, which address the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens among different social groups. Conservation policies and practices can have differential impacts on marginalized communities, leading to environmental injustices such as displacement, loss of livelihoods, and violations of human rights. Environmental justice approaches advocate for inclusive and participatory conservation processes that prioritize the needs and perspectives of affected communities and promote social equity and fairness in conservation outcomes.
6. Public Participation and Engagement: Successful conservation initiatives require meaningful public participation and engagement. Community-based conservation approaches involve local communities in decision-making, planning, and implementation of conservation projects, leveraging local knowledge, resources, and social capital. Public awareness campaigns, environmental education, and citizen science initiatives can also mobilize public support for conservation goals and foster a sense of stewardship towards nature.

In summary, conservation is not simply about protecting biodiversity or preserving natural habitats; it is fundamentally a social and political process that involves values, power dynamics, policy making, governance, land tenure, environmental justice, and public participation. Recognizing and addressing the social and political dimensions of conservation is essential for achieving sustainable and equitable conservation outcomes that benefit both people and the planet.