Analyzing Community Perception of Protected Areas to Effectively Mitigate Environmental Risks Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis: The Case of Savu Sea National Marine Park, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

The Savu Sea holds significant importance as a conservation area in Indonesia that provides sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. However, the sea is currently facing various threats, including overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Therefore, the effective management of this conservation area relies heavily on the active participation of local communities. This study aims to address the research question “What combination of variables leads to the positive outcome of strong participation and could thus mitigate environmental risk?” These variables include the socio-economic condition of coastal households, environmental awareness, the existence of community-based conservation areas, attitudes towards activities within the conservation area, and participation in multi-stakeholder institutions. This study employs the crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) or csQCA methods. A survey was conducted among 22 coastal villages surrounding the Savu Sea, resulting in the identification of 14 different combinations of pathways that contribute to varying levels of perception regarding conservation. Of these 14 pathways, 10 were found to lead to the positive outcome of strong participation. Valuable lessons can be drawn from this study to enhance the design of policies aimed at effectively managing the Savu conservation area.