Hansen, Hans Peter
- Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Conflicts often arise in relation to the conservation of protected predator species. If stakeholders are well defined and involved in participatory processes, their views and perceptions can be incorporated and steps can be made towards resolving such conflicts. In this paper, a case from Hungary is presented. In this case, a participatory management planning process was initiated in the Jaszsag Special Protection Area of European importance (SPA), within the frame of a LIFE+ project focusing on the conservation of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). It provided a good opportunity to address a complex conflict situation between nature conservationists, game managers and farmers. We identified structural conflicts such as contradictions between direct agricultural payments and nature conservation goals, conflicts related to different views of the main influencing factors, relational problems between various stakeholders, and even differences in value orientation. The participatory management planning process was successful in clarifying the conflict situation and making productive steps toward a common understanding and resolution. Besides the mutually agreed conservation measures, the establishment of an administrative and financial incentive such as the high nature value area (HNVA) scheme proved to be an especially important factor for mitigating the conflict. It also contributed to a more successful realisation of nature conservation objectives in an area dominated by private land owners. However, continued interaction and cooperation are needed to stabilise this progress. Our paper also shows that stakeholder involvement in conservation management planning can transcend the strategic dimension of participation, and address broader common values besides the interests of land user groups. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Conservation conflict; Central and Eastern Europe; Conflict resolution; Eastern Imperial Eagle; Hungary; Participatory planning; Stakeholder involvement
Published in
Land Use Policy
2016, volume: 54, pages: 158-168
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
UKÄ Subject classification
Sociology (excluding Social work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Media and Communication Studies
Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.02.011
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/81353