Understanding Local Peoples’ Participation as “Means” and “Ends” in Protected Areas Management: A Qualitative Study in the Heart of Borneo

Abstract

Local people's'participation is highly recommended in protected areas (PAs) management.This study aimed at understanding local people's participation as "means" or tool and "ends" or empowerment in the management of Kinabalu National Park (KNP) in Sabah state of Malaysia and the Kayan Mentarang National Park (KMNP) in North Kalimantan of Indonesia, two important PAs located in the Heart of Borneo. Following Bali Guidelines by UNEP, three important aspects of public participation at the local level were evaluated by deploying qualitative research methods for key-informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGD), and content analysis of policy documents. In KMNP, policies and legal framework primarily supported local peoples' participation as "means" in park management, which was also revealed from interviews with KII and in FGD. Local communities had access to surrounding natural resources for livelihoods which is considered to be participation as "ends." There was no policy support for formal participation of local people in KNP management, but recent informal permission to use designated park areas for farming and eco-tourism can be seen participation as "means" and as "ends." To achieve both of "means" and "ends" fully, participation needs to be integrated into national parks' legal system.

Relational values shape people’s connectedness to nature in a former military protected area of Ecuador

“…Since people differ in how they interact with nature, opening up participatory governance processes to various stakeholders that represent different value orientations or knowledge systems is increasingly advocated (IPBES 2022). Inclusive public participatory processes can facilitate stronger and longerterm outcomes in conservation (Andrade & Rhodes 2012, Htay et al 2022, Inoue et al 2022). In addition, involving communities in the management process of a PA requires environmental education and the development of local projects that achieve benefits both for the community and for conservation (Fonseca et al 2022, Ortiz & Bastidas 2023.…”

Contribution of Sumalindo Company: In Managing Forest Resources with Local Communities: Mahakam Ulu-East Kalimantan

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