Planning education to care for the earth - IUCN Knowledge Network

Communication in support of protected areasPhase 1: Gazetting and administrative preparationIn this phase a national overview of the important conservation areas isdefined. Government agencies need to be notified of conservation interest inthe area at the national regional and local levels. These include ministries ordepartments involved in forestry, tourism, agriculture, mining and energy,regional development, industry, public works, defence and so forth at thenational level. In addition regional (there are 27 regions) and local agenciesin planning, forestry, and population and environment need to be approachedto approve the proposal and support its implementation. As a measure ofhow much has to be organized and kept track of in this agenda settingexercise, the principle agencies and their roles need to be listed. If theresponsibilities of each agency are understood, the benefits of the protectedarea to that agency can be highlighted in presentations or communication tothem. Non government organizations, representing various communityinterests are also involved in agreeing on the areas to be conserved and todetermining acceptable boundaries. Once agreement is obtained and theboundaries defined, the proposed protected area is submitted for ministerialdecree.The role of communication in this process is to inform and consult with allgovernment agencies, by both formal and informal means. At the local level,awareness raising amongst local politicians about the proposal for aprotected area can be used to build community support. Other local actorsdirectly involved in the protected area process are provided with simpleexplanations about the gazetting mission.The education/ communication activities include personal visits, surveys oflocal knowledge, attitudes and practices, establishment of contact withNGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs), the distribution of basicinformation on the environment and protected areas, and regular briefings,interviews and meetings with interest groups.Phase 2 : Developing a management planOnce an area has been declared protected, a detailed management plan has tobe finalized, in which threats to the area and the aims of conservation aredescribed. The park management, equipped with a detailed analysis ofthreats and opportunities and a clear picture of groups with a direct orindirect interest is ready to formulate objectives. Instruments to support theconservation of the area such as the provision of subsidies, incomegeneratingsub-programmes, zoning systems and licensing based onenvironmental impact assessments are developed. The most effective mix ofpolicy instruments has then to be established and local legislation may berequired. Community leaders and CBOs have to be involved in the design ofa zoning plan. Education/ communication advisors are essential in all theseparticipatory activities.During this phase surveys of the knowledge, practices and attitudes of thelocal population and users of the area provide a basis for understanding how89