Master_thesis

Table 5. Advocacy Coalitions’ Belief in the Protected Area Policy.
Coalitions
Beliefs
Social Concern
Environmental
Economic Development
Recognition of ancestral domain claims and rights are very
important; IPs are part of the Biodiversity to be protected;
livelihood activities for the IP’s and local community
development. Policy strategy: participation and consultation in
the decision making process; Protected Area Management Board
(PAMB) and tenureship.
Values the preservation and conservation of the natural resources
particularly the biodiversity in the protected area and its aesthetic
values. Believes that natural park’s condition is at continuing
deteriorating state. Policy strategies: buffer zones and
environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Priority is given to economic development. Protected areas can be
used for projects like geothermal reservations and tourism and can
generate income, funds or grants. Policy strategy: Incorporation
of a comprehensive development plan.
Source: Result from the Content Analysis of 22 documents, 2003
The Social Concern Coalition apparently had beliefs centered on the recognition of
indigenous rights in protected areas and their ancestral domain claims, and the yearning to
be part of the establishment and management of PAs through participation, consultation and
representation.
The Environmental Coalition obviously had beliefs stressed on the protection and
preservation of biodiversity through the establishment of protected areas and buffer zones,
the conduct of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and the perception that the
environment is at declining state. Although biodiversity was a very new concept at that time,
the Environmental Coalition was quite vocal in expressing the concept of conservation and
protection of biodiversity.
Lastly, the Economic Development Coalition held beliefs that conservation can be coupled
with economic development. The coalition was lobbying to include areas within the
protected areas for development purposes to generate income such as geothermal
reservations.
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