Is it possible to go beyond what the State declares to be the best way to manage natural resources? If yes, how? This publication attempst to answer these questions, by providing a practical manual for project officers, community members, government staff, NGO staff and others interested in participatory approaches to managing natural resources. It offers guidelines, checklists, concepts, ideas and a range of methods and tools to facilitate a co-management process.
It is sometimes assumed that protected areas must be in conflict with the rights and traditions of indigenous and other traditional peoples on their domains. In reality, where indigenous peoples are interested in the conservation and traditional use of their lands, waters, territories and the natural and cultural resources that they contain, conflicts need not arise.
The future of much of the biosphere will depend on managing large areas using an integrated approach that recognizes human populations have a keen interest in ensuring the continuing productivity of the ecosystems within which they live. Such an approach will have to meet local needs, maintain or restore ecosystem integrity and conserve biodiversity.
Arbritary national boundaries do not define the extent of landscapes and ecosystems worthy of protection. They do, however, influence the quality of nature conservation as this is affected by differences in national legislation on different sides of the border. This study analyses the status of protected areas across various European State boundaries, lists successes and shortcomings, and gives valuable advise as to how co-operation between protected areas can be improved and enhanced
