Community-Based Conservation for the Sustainable Management of Conservation Conflicts: Learning from Practitioners
Juliette Young, Justine Shanti Alexander, Ajay Bijoor, Deepshikha Sharma, Abhijit Dutta, Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, Tserennadmid Nadia Mijiddorj, Kubanych Jumabay, Venera Amankul, Benazir Kabaeva, Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Shafiqullah Khan, Hussain Ali, Jennifer Snell Rullman, Koustubh Sharma, Ranjini Murali, Charudutt Mishra
Abstract
We explore the role of community-based conservation (CBC) in the sustainable management of conservation conflicts by examining the experiences of conservation practitioners trying to address conflicts between snow leopard conservation and pastoralism in Asian mountains. Practitioner experiences are examined through the lens of the PARTNERS principles for CBC (Presence, Aptness, Respect, Transparency, Negotiation, Empathy, Responsiveness, and Strategic Support) that represent an inclusive conservation framework for effective and ethical engagement with local communities. Case studies from India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Pakistan show that resilient relationships arising from respectful engagement and negotiation with local communities can provide a strong platform for robust conflict management. We highlight the heuristic value of documenting practitioner experiences in on-the-ground conflict management and community-based conservation efforts.