The social consequences of protected areas development for resident populations

Abstract

Large‐scale conservation projects are frequently portrayed as alternatives to development rather than as yet another type of development with important social consequences. The present research investigates an initial list of social consequences of protected areas development strategies in Third World countries. Of primary concern is how comanagement of protected areas with resident populations can reduce the social consequences of involuntary relocation, residency without access to resources, and assimilation; each is illustrated with multiple Third World examples. The beneficial social consequences of comanaged ecodevelopment are briefly set forth in three biosphere reserve case studies.