Avoiding recurring community conservation pitfalls: Is it possible?

The complexity of the community based conservation (CBC) model, with its dual goals of biodiversity conservation and human development through poverty alleviation, has led to extensive critiques on effectiveness. Despite... [ view full abstract ]

The complexity of the community based conservation (CBC) model, with its dual goals of biodiversity conservation and human development through poverty alleviation, has led to extensive critiques on effectiveness. Despite seemingly attractive qualities, many CBC examples have not met expectations in practice. Are these failures due to ineffective implementation or possibly a flawed model? What is the gold standard for CBC? 

This study examines indicators of success at a nearly 20 year old community protected area (CPA) building upon cultural taboos against killing hippopotamus in northern Ghana, West Africa. We used an evaluation framework considering long term socio-economic and ecological outcomes, plus linkage mechanisms. From 2010 to 2016, we collected the same qualitative and quantitative data as reported in Sheppard et al. (2010), expanding some to include comparative data from outside the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS).   

In 2010, we concluded that the local hippopotamus population was stable; now current data (2000-2017) indicate an increasing trend. Over the same 18-year period, bird species richness remains higher inside than outside the sanctuary, particularly in the dry season. There has been a widespread, and accelerating, improved access to amenities within 17 inside settlements, compared with 100 outside. Commissioned and salaried employment figures indicate that over 20% of residents benefit from the WCHS. Though tourism-related income declined dramatically in 2014, when the Ebola crisis discouraged visitation, the organic shea bio-enterprise stepped in to buffer WCHS financially. Linkage mechanisms through 3 different environmental attitude surveys suggest that ecological awareness is high, with room for improvements.

We ask whether these measures go far enough to be able to claim success with the CBC model? Our study suggests the CPA is succeeding with long-term ecological and economic indicators, and linkage mechanisms. Yet, during the many years of implementation, limitations caused by underpinning human dynamics have continued to re-surface; even after 20 years, external actors with less cultural and historic connection remain over-dominant, local actors remain challenged to self-advocate and, community confidence levels in management remain low. Our study serves to highlight complexities of evaluating long-term success with CBC and calls for more dialogue amongst experienced practitioners.