Malawi: Conservation Success Depends on Rural Livelihoods
A new study highlights the critical link between conservation success and rural livelihoods in Malawi, specifically around Kasungu National Park. Researcher Lessah Mandoloma from Oxford University, supported by CIFOR-ICRAF, conducted scenario-based interviews with local communities to understand how conservation and agricultural policies impact both people and biodiversity. The findings reveal that policies addressing biodiversity loss and food insecurity separately often fail, as they frame humans and nature as competitors rather than interlinked entities. Successful long-term conservation requires integrated, participatory approaches that meaningfully engage local populations. Interventions perceived as fair and supportive of livelihoods, such as compensation schemes or fertilizer subsidies, improve community relations with conservation authorities. However, residents also anticipate potential rebound effects, such as increased farming near wildlife zones if compensation is guaranteed. The study emphasizes that ignoring local livelihood realities and governance issues undermines ecological goals. Ultimately, the research argues for equitable landscape designs where conservation decisions account for social outcomes, ensuring that measures do not exacerbate food insecurity or fuel conflict between farmers and wildlife protection efforts.
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Malawi: Conservation Success Depends on Rural Livelihoods
A new study highlights the critical link between conservation success and rural livelihoods in Malawi, specifically around Kasungu National Park. Researcher Lessah Mandoloma from Oxford University, supported by CIFOR-ICRAF, conducted scenario-based interviews with local communities to understand how conservation and agricultural policies impact both people and biodiversity. The findings reveal that policies addressing biodiversity loss and food insecurity separately often fail, as they frame humans and nature as competitors rather than interlinked entities. Successful long-term conservation requires integrated, participatory approaches that meaningfully engage local populations. Interventions perceived as fair and supportive of livelihoods, such as compensation schemes or fertilizer subsidies, improve community relations with conservation authorities. However, residents also anticipate potential rebound effects, such as increased farming near wildlife zones if compensation is guaranteed. The study emphasizes that ignoring local livelihood realities and governance issues undermines ecological goals. Ultimately, the research argues for equitable landscape designs where conservation decisions account for social outcomes, ensuring that measures do not exacerbate food insecurity or fuel conflict between farmers and wildlife protection efforts.
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