A Pluralistic Approach to Protected Area Governance: Indigenous Peoples and Makuira National Park, Colombia

Abstract

Based on a study of collaborative governance (Spanish cogobierno, literally co-government) in Makuira National Park overlapping with an Indigenous collective territory of the Wayúu people recognised by the Government of Colombia, we analyse how Indigenous rights and conservation interests are negotiated between the national parks authority and local Indigenous governing authorities. Recognised common interests provide a basis for collaboration in protected area governance even where conflicting interests exist. The arrangements arrived at by negotiation incorporate Indigenous governance and parks conservation objectives, enabling territorial use planning which allows for both conflict management and protected area management. Ongoing collaborative governance based on common interests, brings both benefits and trade-offs. The Wayúu give up part of their self-determination rights and the Park gives up part of the ideals of ecosystem conservation based on biological criteria. The strategic alliance works because it is based on the recognition of the legitimacy of Indigenous governing authority, the Parks' role in protecting Wayúu territory, and the complementary strengths of the two parties. The core message of the case is that designing an inclusive and broad practice of conservation requires an approach involving processes that acknowledge common interests and trade-offs for both parties.

Transforming Biodiversity Governance

“…In addition to adopting increasingly integrative approaches, protected and conserved area governance has also become more inclusive and adaptive. Recent efforts to scale-up both terrestrial and marine protected areas to the landscape/seascape scale, for example, including through the newer emphasis now being given to conserved areas, have moved toward more inclusive forms of governance, including by the increased and more formal involvement of IPLCs in governance mechanisms (Premauer and Berkes, 2015). Studies indicate that adaptive management approaches that have integrated local communities in co-governance arrangements have been the most successful for terrestrial protected areas (Dawson et al, 2018;Premauer and Berkes, 2015).…”

“…Recent efforts to scale-up both terrestrial and marine protected areas to the landscape/seascape scale, for example, including through the newer emphasis now being given to conserved areas, have moved toward more inclusive forms of governance, including by the increased and more formal involvement of IPLCs in governance mechanisms (Premauer and Berkes, 2015). Studies indicate that adaptive management approaches that have integrated local communities in co-governance arrangements have been the most successful for terrestrial protected areas (Dawson et al, 2018;Premauer and Berkes, 2015). Similarly, the most successful approaches to MPA governance have found a balance between top-down and bottom-up approaches with a diversity of institutions involved (McCay and Jones, 2011) that take an adaptive approach with room for experimentation in management strategies (Bown et al, 2013).…”

Oportunidades y desafíos para la gobernanza compartida en tres Sistemas Municipales de Áreas Protegidas en Colombia: Urrao, Carolina del Príncipe y Santa Rosa de Osos

“…Aunque la gobernanza de los sistemas de AP requiere de complementariedad y corresponsabilidad entre los actores involucrados, la realidad de Colombia exige sortear obstáculos como una tradición de manejo centralizado y público de las AP, un Estado paternalista, falta de recursos humanos y económicos, entre otros (Ramírez, 2016). A pesar de esto, existen análisis de gobernanza compartida en AP en el país que también resaltan aspectos positivos en cuanto a empoderamiento, tejido social y respeto intercultural (Durán, 2009;Premauer y Berkes, 2015;Ungar y Strand, 2012;Matallana et al, 2019). Este artículo busca evidenciar los retos y oportunidades en el tránsito hacia una la gobernanza compartida de la conservación que requiere los SIMAP y mostrar la importancia de la transición como un proceso necesariamente gradual.…”

Unraveling the weaves of the fiber : emergent features in the traditional knowledge of an Amazonian palm

“…That is to say, collective experiences to be used in times of change (Bodin, Crona, and Ernstson 2006;Berkes, Colding, and Folke 2003;Adger et al 2005), that evidence an active and dynamic character of Traditional Knowledge. Unlike other cases, assemblies represent an effective unified arena of local decision-making that could facilitate collaboration with scientists and practitioners (Premauer and Berkes 2015;Ruiz-Mallen and Corbera 2013). However, that well-defined arena could be limited by low density on the social network.…”