DevNet2002
- 1. Ecotourism as a Conservation Strategy in Komodo National Park, Indonesia Henning Borchers University of Auckland
- 2. Argument Ecotourism in Komodo fails to deliver on claims that it benefits local communities Adoption of an ecotourism discourse is more conducive to furthering an exclusionary conservation approach: ‘Parks without people’
- 3. Topics of Discussion Conservation in Komodo National Park Sustainable Development Sustainable Use Ecotourism
- 6. "...one of the world's richest marine environments"
- 7. Conservation in Komodo NP Emphasis on ecological objectives vs. human needs The Nature Conservancy (TNC) supports the national conservation agency since 1995 Restrictions on resource use without adequate alternatives for park residents “ Incentives (financial, social) need to be developed to attract people living in the park to move to the adjacent larger islands”
- 10. Conservation and Development ‘Best practice’: Reconcile conservation goals with human needs Sustainable Development
- 11. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) Conservation Sustainable use Benefit sharing “ Determined to conserve and sustainably use biological diversity for the benefit of present and future generations”
- 12. Sustainable Use in Komodo Customary resource use restricted or prohibited Provision of alternative livelihoods in buffer zone Fish farming Seaweed farming Ecotourism as “perhaps the most obvious sustainable use of the Park’s resources”
- 13. Ecotourism myths Socio-economic benefit Community-based Low ecological impact – small scale
- 14. In Komodo… Tourism is externally owned and operated: park residents receive no benefits Decisions regarding tourism development have been top-down Plans for “larger-scale ecotourism activities” and “an expanded speciality dive market, possibly with a shift towards semi-mass tourism”
- 15. Why ecotourism? Sustainable use in accordance with current ‘best practice’ in conservation Meets policy requirements of donor agencies in accordance with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity Ecotourism is considered ‘more sustainable’ than customary forms of resource use –prioritisation
- 16. Summary Double standard in conception of sustainability Restriction on customary resource use without alternatives in marine resource use Tourism provides no alternatives Marginalisation of local communities and promotion of ‘voluntary resettlement’: ‘parks without people’ Adoption of ecotourism discourse allows conservationists to advance exclusionary protected area approach
- 17. The Potential of Ecotourism? Ecotourism as an additional source of income for some park residents Provide for customary or alternative forms of resource use Redefine sustainability/sustainable use Alternative livelihood programs Support self-sufficiency Generate local support for conservation
- 18. Any questions?