Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Governance In Southern Africa: Understanding Contestations And Conflict Between Local Resource Access And Biodiversity Conservation

Abstract

Transfrontier conservation protected area management in Southern Africa is being influenced by a globalization of conservation as the Western-driven transboundary conservation movement seeks to enlarge protected areas across international borders. The ensuing resource conflict in Makuleke and Sengwe communities is the result of an epistemological disparity between conservation and rural livelihoods of local communities who endure the most of incessant wildlife threats. The governance processes and subsequent unmet local livelihoods interests, impact local access to natural, social, and economic resources, thereby threatening livelihoods and the sustainability of conservation areas dependent on local popular support and legitimization. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Peace Park), Makuleke and Sengwe communities were examined using interdisciplinary multiple-scale approach such as interviews, observations, household questionnaires and literature analysis to contextualize local resource decisions within the global conservation framework juxtaposed with local contexts.