presented by: majyambere methode world environmental day ur, huye campus 3 june 2015
DESCRIPTION
Rationale The problem is how people exploit natural resources in unsustainable ways, and have some negative behaviors; This threatens much vulnerable forest edges, protected area biodiversity, and depletes resources for the future. I sought causes in the framework of how community impacts near protected areas are managed The community might have enjoyed a kind of easygoing / laisser-faire/ lenient management This probably ended by obscuring their consciousness in sustaining their future livelihoods I would not term this poor management but rather maybe lack of sound strategiesTRANSCRIPT
Proactive community vs. lenient management for sustainable environment and livelihoods near protected areas
Presented by: Majyambere Methode
World Environmental DayUR, Huye campus
3 June 2015
RationaleThe topic is a scientific opinion in the context of
environmental safeguard and protected areas resources management
The case study is Nyungwe National ParkThe base of my opinion is not a literature review, or
any systematic research, but formed from critical observations
Observations were also connected with research studies
They inspired me with more thinking about the research intervention to be encouraged in the future
RationaleThe problem is how people exploit natural resources in
unsustainable ways, and have some negative behaviors;This threatens much vulnerable forest edges, protected area biodiversity, and depletes resources for the future.
I sought causes in the framework of how community impacts near protected areas are managed
The community might have enjoyed a kind of easygoing / laisser-faire/ lenient management
This probably ended by obscuring their consciousness in sustaining their future livelihoods
I would not term this poor management but rather maybe lack of sound strategies
RationaleThree periods comprised my observation
and critical thinking: In 2009 when I was carrying out research
on chimpanzees in Cyamudongo forest; In 2011-2012 when a MSc research was
carried out at Uwinka in Nyungwe NP on small mammals;
In 2013 at Gisakura I was involved in research as field assistant for assessing threats to chimpanzees
Case 1: Cyamudongo (2009)
Take a while to understand from the picture1)How young are these guys; 2) How steep is
this zoneAnd be aware that:
i) This is not more than 15 m from the natural forest
ii) There is a quarry for bricks abutting road
This large amount of wood collected in about a minute
Case 2: Uwinka (2011-2012)
Traps once used for small mammals are
damaged for no gain
Fallen pine tree is cut for wood even in 5 m from
natural forest More alarming than this is the cutting
of young trees (on rate, frequency, severity) as tutors in agriculture; NO
picture available for it
Case 3: Gisakura (2013)
Tea Cow grazing, leaving dung every where
This side is the natural
forest
The natural forest
Tea estate
There was much more alarming than this near tea;Especially where there was much thicker
vegetation and little space between tea and natural forest;
HUMAN EXCREMENT/FECAL WASTE!!!!
Towards effectivenessThere is no way to undermine strong efforts
produced so far in terms of conservation status The situation is regarded as what I termed
lenient management, or the laisser-faire, in regard to the community
Was it from superficial analysis of the problem, poor monitoring, or just lack of awareness, all of these can be combined as issues of laisser-faire
We know how this can lead to increase of ‘tragedy of the commons’ and increasing ‘ecological footprint’
Towards effectivenessWith developing this theme I envision 2
complementary alternatives (they are assumptions):
1) being strict with the community regarding current trends and awareness of environmental issues can be an effective strategy
2) people can be sensitized to be more proactive rather than being reactive to challenges of which they have been source
(Mutual collaboration = umwe aba ijisho rya mugenzi we aho ibintu byenda kugenda nabi)
Towards effectivenessThis strategic management also emphasizes
the nurture of environmental ethics. In Rwanda people are now quite aware of
social ethics; they should quite easily understand the need for environmental ethics.
They are trained and sensitized to be environmentally responsible, and build trust and hope for the future.
It is of paramount importance to be proactive than reactive in face of current environmental challenges.
Thank you for your kind attention!