Local Perceptions of Wildlife use in Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, Mexico: Maya Subsistence Hunting in a Conservation Conflict Context

Abstract

Conservation conflicts can arise in biosphere reserves when local people face restrictions on resource use and access, mainly in terms of subsistence. We studied the potential conservation conflict with subsistence hunting in two Maya communities (Los Petenes and El Remate) located in the zone of influence of Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Perceptions, interests and expectations of stakeholders regarding subsistence hunting in the reserve were recorded through semi-structured and in-depth interviews of peasant-hunters and reserve authorities, and participant observation was carried out in both communities. A total of 66 peasant-hunters were identified in Los Petenes (62%) and El Remate (38%). Overall, peasant-hunters acknowledged hunting for family subsistence and expressed the conviction to continue hunting in the region. They mentioned their enthusiasm for hunting, mainly individually and aimed at obtaining white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and perceived a recent reduction in potential prey locally. Although the law in Mexico does not prohibit subsistence hunting, external authorities stated that they have announced a generalized ban on hunting based on the precautionary principle to simplify enforcement both inside and outside the reserve. The de facto restriction on wildlife use, even for subsistence purposes, which was mentioned by external actors, conflicted with the local need and expectation of the contemporary Maya hunters to continue subsistence hunting in the region. Our study confirms the existence of a conservation conflict associated with this traditional practice in the reserve and provides necessary information for managing such conflict.

Different Approaches Towards the Understanding of Socio-Environmental Conflicts in Protected Areas

“…The human-wildlife and the impairment approaches, through working closely with authorities and conservation NGOs, have developed very concrete products that from their perspective permit handling or resolving socio-environmental conflicts. For example, in the case of the LPBR, from recognizing the existence of diverse perspectives, a Linkage Matrix [82] was developed with the intention of generating possible guidelines of action to diminish the conflict between the reserve and the local population. From making evident the contrast between the elements proposed by the management program and the official discourse with the elements posed by local actors, the matrix establishes a basis for possible action among the actors to detach concrete actions.…”

Campesino hunting and conservation in Latin America

“…This gap supports calls to sensitize, convert, or curtail campesino hunting, even without biological or social data, which has been shown to precipitate conflicts (Oliva et al. ).…”

“…In particular, such indices and other forms of harvest data, even with their respective limitations (Weinbaum et al 2013), can help researchers and campesinos themselves avert assumptions and conflicts about campesinos hunting through Conservation Biology Volume 34, No. 2, 2020 communal norms and regulations (Oliva et al 2014;Shanee et al 2015).…”

Impact of the Wildlife Management Units Policy on the Conservation of Species and Ecosystems of Southeastern Mexico

“…Establishment of UMAs in this region implies internal adjustments in the communities in terms of governance and social organization, which defines the use of and access to the natural resources, thus generating "conflicts of conservation" [33,34]. In these cases, the stakeholders involved often may have opposing perceptions and perspectives regarding the use and conservation of natural resources [33].…”

“…In these cases, the stakeholders involved often may have opposing perceptions and perspectives regarding the use and conservation of natural resources [33]. These conflicts generally result in a negative impact on the biodiversity (through overexploitation of species and destruction of habitat) and on the socioeconomic development of the local communities (as a consequence of the restriction of access to natural resources for traditional use and subsistence) [34].…”