Identifying and analysing management requirements in Ezemvelo KZN wildlife for effective implementation of co-management in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.
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Date
2010
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Abstract
The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDP WHS) is one of only 23
properties world wide that has been listed a World Heritage Site of dual significance due
to its cultural and natural values. The picture portrayed to the international community
depicts a successful conservation history of more than a 100 years. Achievements
include the proclamation of the first Wilderness Area in Africa and its listing as a Ramsar
Site. However, little or no mention is made of the current anthropological threats facing
the Park today as a direct result of the historically discriminatory and politically insensitive
protected area designations. The history of the park reveals a battle ground of conflict
between indigenous neighbouring communities and management authorities regarding
the contentious issues of land tenure and user rights. Even though Ezemvelo KZN
Wildlife (EKZNW) as the management authority has embraced a holistic and participative
management paradigm in its policies, efforts to implement this paradigm have been slow
and contentious with little or no meaningful successes. Internationally, the construct of comanagement
has been identified as the best possible way to achieve a participative,
inclusive, holistic management paradigm. In South Africa, and the UDP WHS, the
relatively sudden imperative for co-management due to legislative requirements as part of
the land restitution process has left many conservation authorities to grapple with the
implementation of this construct. Co-management however does not conform well to
traditional protectionist and imperialist management systems. The implementation of comanagement
in Southern Africa, considering the socio-political history of conservation,
requires a significant paradigm change not only in the individuals that will be involved with
the implementation of the process, but even more so, within conservation organisations,
to create an understanding of the requirements of the systems and processes to facilitate
the adoption of this holistic management approach.
The overall objective of the research is to analyse identified organisational aspects that
are deemed to negatively impact on the process of implementation of co-management in
EKZNW, and specifically the UDP WHS. To address this objective, the following three key
research questions were identified:
a. What are the expectations within EKZNW with regards to the implementation of comanagement with neighbouring communities in the different departments within
EKZNW?
b. What are the barriers in the management systems of EKZNW with regard to the
implementation of co-management with neighbouring communities?
c. What are the resource requirements in EKZNW for the implementation and
maintenance of co-management with neighbouring communities’?
This case study focused specifically on the UDP WHS management within the EKZNW
organisational structure. A qualitative research design was used to conduct the case
study. Research techniques included a review of existing organisational documentation
guiding the implementation of co-management; the conducting of semi-structured
interviews with purposely selected interviewees; asking open ended questions developed
to address the key questions as identified; as well as participant and direct observation. A
content analysis was performed on the answers obtained from the semi-structured
interview process. This analysis resulted in the creation of a detailed descriptive narrative.
The interpretation of the raw data was used to recognise patterns and common elements
in the data that were relevant to the key research questions.
The key findings of the research indicated that, even though participants indicated some
level of understanding of concept of co-management, expectations around comanagement
varied substantially. The vision and objectives contained in various
organisational policies and strategies around co-management are not congruent with
operational actions. This affects both individual and organisational expectations around
co-management. EKZNW’s recognition of the difficulties around the implementation of comanagement
can thus be contributed to a vicious circle of poorly defined or understood
objectives around co-management which are compounded by a number of real and
perceived barriers. It is apparent from the research that a lack of a shared vision and
understanding of the objectives has resulted in a poor understanding of the resource
requirements for the implementation of co-management. It is envisaged that the
development of an understanding of a shared future vision and objectives around comanagement through effective communication, education, participation and awareness
will assist in growing EKZNW staff capabilities to transcend institutional barriers and
promote the development of an enabling environment for the effective implementation of
co-management.
Description
Master of Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2010.
Keywords
Environmental management., Natural resources -- Co-management., Protected areas -- Management., National parks and reserves -- Management., Theses -- Environment science.