From media campaign to local governance transition: Lessons for community-based conservation from an Amur falcon hunting ban in Nagaland, India

Abstract

Media campaigns can spur conservation action but may alienate local communities. Transforming such action into self-sustaining community-based conservation involves effective governance that rapidly integrates knowledge of resource dynamics, establishes flexible institutions, and fosters multilevel networks. This study examines the emergence of community-based conservation in response to a media campaign to protect migratory Amur falcons, illustrating shifts in governance and power dynamics that enabled local community ownership. Although conservation developed in the absence of an adequate preparation phase, external engagement, incentives, and recognition of local institutions' legitimacy were instrumental in fostering collective action. This research showcases how community-based conservation initiatives can be triggered by external social pressure but also how the long-term sustainability relies on effective governance that respects local institutions and employs cooperative strategies to build trust and foster ownership among local communities.