Alternative Approaches to Integrated Conservation and Development-equitable Governance at Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

Abstract

Equity and governance are vital in facilitating sustainable biodiversity conservation as alternative approaches to integrated conservation and development. However, they have not always been prioritized by protected area managers and policy implementers in various interventions. A qualitative assessment was undertaken to explore the positioning of equitable governance in pursuing conservation and development objectives at Lake Mburo National Park. Data reveals that the current integrated conservation and development interventions fall short of equitable governance principles. The more that people are involved in decision making and equitably share resources, the more they are likely to be co-managers of protected area resources. Currently, those who bear the most conservation costs are not well targeted by conservation benefits, are likely to develop resentment and engage in unauthorized resource use. Key principles of governance categorized under the dimensions of equity were used as yardsticks for the assessment. The study concludes that governance and equity are potential alternative approaches to adopt in the implementation of integrated conservation and development. We recommend the application of an equitable governance framework in order to achieve sustainable conservation