The Protected Landscape Approach - Centre for Mediterranean ...

The Protected Landscape Approach: Linking Nature, Culture and Community
argues “tangible and intangible heritage must be preserved together”. Similarly, Barrow and
Pathak note that conservation is “intimately tied to social mores and ethics, and that the erosion
of culture often leads to loss of natural systems”. They cite the threat to the survival of sacred
forest groves in Ghana posed by the erosion of traditional beliefs that have sustained the
bio-rich systems for generations. Traditional knowledge systems are often intertwined with
belief systems, rituals and ceremonials.
Nora Mitchell, Jacquelyn Tuxill, Guy Swinnerton, Susan Buggey and Jessica Brown
observe that the protected landscape approach recognises multiple values and encompasses the
interests of local communities and indigenous peoples. From this foundation it crafts col -
laborative management approaches that involve all key stakeholders. The next section de -
scribes the importance and some of the characteristics of this type of process in conservation.
Characteristics of process
In describing the importance of the process of conservation, Hughes writes that conservation
objectives are framed within a social, cultural and economic context. Working within this
complex context requires an approach that integrates a number of key characteristics of process
described in the sections below.
4. The protected landscape approach is community-based,
inclusive and participatory.
The direct engagement of key stakeholders with an emphasis on local and indigenous people
and communities is a theme that is present in all of the case studies. Many papers cite the
involvement of local people and communities to enhance understanding and support for
conservation, to shape conservation that it is relevant, and to retain and build commitment and
engagement in stewardship. Rössler notes that “…conservation processes bring people to -
gether in caring for their collective identity and heritage, and provide a shared local vision
within a global context [and] local communities need therefore to be involved in every aspect of
Sherpa children in Nepal. Involving local communities in conservation of their landscapes is critical to
sustaining their natural and cultural heritage for future generations. Paul Rogers/ICPL
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