LINKING LIVELIHOODS WITH CONSERVATION - AN ENTERPRISEBASED APPROACH TO BIOSPHERE RESERVE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Over the past two decades, there has been growing frustration with the traditional conservation approach in several parts of the world. This particular ap-proach has followed the 'hands off' philosophy and h a s attempted to promote conservation by setting aside areas (now known as Protected Areas) a t the cost of people who have depended on the rich biodiversity of the same for centuries. The approach has done inordinate harm where such dependencies exist. The challenge then is to seek innovative approaches to conservation, taking into consideration local community needs. Biosphere Reserves are areas where needs of the local community and biodiversity conservation could very well be addressed together. Providing communities a n economic incentive to conserve could also provide one way of integrating biodiversity and community needs. There have been some attempts towards this in the past. One such has been that of the Biodiversity Conservation Network (BCN). BCN was initiated to evaluate a n 'enterprise-based' approach in the Asia and Pacific regions. This paper attempts to use the BCN model as a case study and analyse how best to apply it i n the context of Biosphere Reserves. It also looks a t how best a n enterprise-based approach to conservation could help in promoting the philosophy of Biosphere Reserves. The paper discusses issues and challenges that emerged in the BCN supported projects, to help devise appropriate strategies for Biosphere Reserves.