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Analysing and Applying Stakeholder Perceptions to Improve Protected Area Governance in Ugandan Conservation Landscapes

Author

Listed:
  • James Omoding

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland)

  • Gretchen Walters

    (Institute of Geography and Sustainability, Faculty of Geosciences and the Environment, University of Lausanne, Géopolis, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Edward Andama

    (Biology department, Faculty of Science and Education, Busitema University, Jinja-Malaba Road, Tororo P.O. Box 236, Uganda)

  • Salete Carvalho

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland)

  • Julien Colomer

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland)

  • Marina Cracco

    (Institute of Geography and Sustainability, Faculty of Geosciences and the Environment, University of Lausanne, Géopolis, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Gerald Eilu

    (School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Makerere University, University Road, Kampala 7062, Uganda)

  • Gaster Kiyingi

    (Tree Talk Plus, Plot 842 Lugolobi Close, Sempagala Zone-Buye, Ntinda-Kampala, Uganda)

  • Chetan Kumar

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland)

  • Council Dickson Langoya

    (JC Holdings Ltd., Kampala P.O. Box 34857, Uganda)

  • Barbara Nakangu Bugembe

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland)

  • Florian Reinhard

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland)

  • Celina Schelle

    (International Union for Conservation of Nature, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
    Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Str. 4, 79106 Freiburg, Germany)

Abstract

Given the diversity of active institutions and stakeholders in a landscape, and the difficulties in ensuring inclusive decision-making, evaluating landscape governance can help surface and address underlying issues. In the context of two protected area landscapes in Uganda, where landscape approaches are being implemented through a wider project on landscape governance, we analyse stakeholder perceptions of inclusive decision-making and then use this evaluation to stimulate dialogue amongst stakeholder groups in each landscape. We ask, how can capturing, analysing, and collaboratively applying people’s perceptions address inclusive decision-making in landscape governance? We collected and analysed perceptions using SenseMaker ® , a software package that enables analysis of micronarratives (stories) from the field based on how respondents classify their own stories, using triads, dyads, stones, and multiple-choice questions. This self-categorisation by the respondent reduces bias in the analysis and allows the micronarrative to be cross-examined in a variety of ways when analysed using Sensemaker. This analysis created an integrated view of the stakeholder’s perceptions about inclusive decision-making in landscape governance. The results show large portions of the respondents feel their voices are neglected, and management of the landscape is poor in Mount Elgon, while in Agoro-Agu, it is the opposite trend. During a community feedback process, reasons for these trends were discussed and solutions proposed. Some of the underlying factors include historical relationships with park authorities and displacement during park creation. To more precisely answer our research question, one could have extended stays in the communities studied in these landscapes, using ethnographic methods including interviews and participant observation; nonetheless, our method, including the feedback process, was an innovative and important way to confront our findings with the informants directly and foster collaborative action. We conclude that understanding people’s perceptions, including through participatory feedback, can significantly inform and improve management decisions, help resolve conflicts, and facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders in the landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • James Omoding & Gretchen Walters & Edward Andama & Salete Carvalho & Julien Colomer & Marina Cracco & Gerald Eilu & Gaster Kiyingi & Chetan Kumar & Council Dickson Langoya & Barbara Nakangu Bugembe & , 2020. "Analysing and Applying Stakeholder Perceptions to Improve Protected Area Governance in Ugandan Conservation Landscapes," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-25, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:6:p:207-:d:376299
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Belachew Gizachew & Svein Solberg & Stefano Puliti, 2018. "Forest Carbon Gain and Loss in Protected Areas of Uganda: Implications to Carbon Benefits of Conservation," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Petursson, Jon Geir & Vedeld, Paul & Sassen, Marieke, 2013. "An institutional analysis of deforestation processes in protected areas: The case of the transboundary Mt. Elgon, Uganda and Kenya," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 22-33.
    3. F. Mugagga & V. Kakembo & M. Buyinza, 2012. "A characterisation of the physical properties of soil and the implications for landslide occurrence on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Eastern Uganda," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 60(3), pages 1113-1131, February.
    4. Wehner, Nicholas & Bennett, Nathan & Dearden, Philip, 2014. "From measuring outcomes to providing inputs: Governance, management, and local development for more effective marine protected areas," MarXiv y9mfc, Center for Open Science.
    5. Hopwood, Julian, 2015. "Women’s land claims in the Acholi region of Northern Uganda: what can be learned from what is contested," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 63902, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Bennett, Nathan James & Dearden, Philip, 2014. "From measuring outcomes to providing inputs: Governance, management, and local development for more effective marine protected areas," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(PA), pages 96-110.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mengina Gilli & Muriel Côte & Gretchen Walters, 2020. "Gatekeeping Access: Shea Land Formalization and the Distribution of Market-Based Conservation Benefits in Ghana’s CREMA," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Walter Musakwa & Trynos Gumbo & Gaynor Paradza & Ephraim Mpofu & Nesisa Analisa Nyathi & Ntlakala B. Selamolela, 2020. "Partnerships and Stakeholder Participation in the Management of National Parks: Experiences of the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Nicola Favretto & Sheona Shackleton & Susannah M. Sallu & Tali Hoffman, 2021. "Editorial for Special Issue: “Collaboration and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in Landscape Governance and Management in Africa: Lessons from Practice”," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-5, March.
    4. Eric Rega Christophe Bayala & Kwabena Owusu Asubonteng & Mirjam Ros-Tonen & Houria Djoudi & Freddie Sayi Siangulube & James Reed & Terry Sunderland, 2023. "Using Scenario Building and Participatory Mapping to Negotiate Conservation-Development Trade-Offs in Northern Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-29, February.

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