Zenaïde Dervieux

Last update: 13 June 2017

Title: Living on the edge of an African protected area: Current perceptions of climatic, sociologic and political changes by local communities of the Hwange National Park periphery

Summary

The northern edge of the Hwange National Park is a particularly suitable area for the analysis of human-wildlife cohabitation. Nearly a century ago, the “conservationist” dominant ideology advocating "wilderness” has relegated populations on the edge of a protected area comprising today one of the most important worldwide densities of African elephants (Loxodanta africana). Local populations, already dependent on limited exploitation of natural resources in their territory (firewood, fruits, grazing), are more vulnerable to wildlife predation and climate change. Thus, the administrative territorial division, on which come on top of the customs and history territories, masses local conflicts between people and managers.

Paradoxically, the area is marked by a strong appeal, evidenced by a population increase of 60% in the northern outskirts of the park between 2000 and 2010. What are the reasons that lead those people to remain in their territory? How do they perceive territorial changes and develop in return coping strategies? Enlightening the relationship the inhabitants have with their territory is the greatest path in order to understand this human-wildlife interface. In this perspective, we propose to understand how local people of the Hwange National Park periphery perceive changes in their territory through the following question: In a system with social, political and climatic changes, how does the relationship between local people and their territory influence their perceptions of changes?

Last update: 13 June 2017