Protected areas

The current book presents and summarizes works and projects finalized during the second course of Klagenfurt University's postgraduate M.Sc programme on "Management in Protected Areas" (2007 to 2009).

Currently, there are a number of book on the market dealing with protected areas management from different perspectives. However, there is no book available that emphasises regional development and stakeholder involvement along the "life-cycle" of protected areas and that additionally has a focus on the European perspective of managing protected areas. This book tries to fill this gap.

This book brings together the manifold works and projects accomplished in the first round of Klagenfurt University's postgraduate study programme "Management of Protected Areas" that started in September 2005 and ended in July 2007. It presents the outcomes of the students' works in terms of their master theses. It starts with chapters dealing with biodiversity conservation and visitor management, followed by papers on legal frameworks and management effectiveness.

A natural depression that was converted into a wetland and water fowl refuge in the 1700s by the then rulers of Bharatpur, Keoladeo National Park has established itself as one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world. But despite its elevated status and the protection afforded to it, the park has not been without its problems.

The topic of intangible natural heritage is new, recently emerging as an important subject of inquiry. It describes the untouchable elements of the environment that combine to create natural objects, and help define our relationship to them. These elements can be sensory, like auditory landscapes, or processes like natural selection.

The topic of intangible natural heritage is new, recently emerging as an important subject of inquiry. It describes the untouchable elements of the environment that combine to create natural objects, and help define our relationship to them. These elements can be sensory, like auditory landscapes, or processes like natural selection.