J. Terrence McCabe

As the human population of the earth grows there is an increased emphasis on the preservation of what remains of the planet's special places and important natural resources. The number of protected areas and national parks has increased dramatically over the past twenty years, especially in the developing world. New models of conservation have also been introduced, many that emphasize the incorporation of indigenous peoples into the conservation process. However, despite the importance of linking conservation and human development, for both the protection of natural resources and for the economies of indigenous peoples, there have been few examples of real success. One problem is that these Integrated Conservation and Development projects are relatively new, and that lessons learned from failure as well as success are just beginning to be understood. Another problem is that despite the rhetoric that advocates bringing indigenous peoples into the conservation process, often there seems to be little common ground or even communication between those who advocate for indigenous rights and human development and those who advocate for conservation of natural resources, especially wildlife. Of course there are exceptions, the attempts to bring the Aboriginal peoples into the management of National Parks in Australia being one example; the Campfire Programme in Zimbabwe (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) being another. However, recent books by Ghimire and Pimbert (1997), Stevens (1997), Neumann (1998) and Honey (1999) illustrate how difficult this task has been. Indeed other chapters in this volume will attest to the fact that the overall record has not been encouraging, especially with respect to protected areas.

16 pages, 1 table, 1 map