(Photo by Jaro Nemčok via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)
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The habitats and migration routes of many wildlife species cross international borders. Even when borders are not marked by physical barriers, they can still function like invisible lines that can split ecosystems, which interferes with conservation efforts. Neighbouring countries may have different land rights, giving rise to different forms of land use. While a lush, protected forest may exist on one side of the border, the other side may experience logging.
These boundaries can harm wildlife by reducing connectivity, which in turn may limit access to essential resources such as food and water. Not only do these physical barriers impede animal access, but they also affect plant life. In some areas, this may impede migrations. Climate change often causes range shifts in plant and animal species, which, when restricted, can lead to extinction.
Conservation efforts are also difficult to manage internationally. For example, the conservation of the Amazon Rainforest has faced significant challenges due to conflicting national interests.
The Peace Parks Approach
African governments and conservation organizations have developed a solution within the African continent to facilitate international cooperation on these matters: Transfrontier Parks and Conservation Areas. These areas allow animals to move freely within their range without encountering physical barriers. This has aided conservation efforts while helping neighbouring countries to collaborate and benefit.
Kgalagadi was the first Transfrontier Park, located in Botswana and South Africa. It began in 1948 with an informal verbal agreement between the two nations’ conservation authorities. In 1992, 44 years later, the National Parks departments of both countries began working on a more formal agreement to jointly manage the region. This management plan included revenue sharing and cooperation in tourism. Importantly, the agreement also mandated that each country develop nearby communities and involve the local residents.
International NGOs have played an integral role in the development of these areas by helping facilitate negotiations. Peace Parks Foundation, an organization working to preserve Africa’s large ecosystems, for example, have contributed to these efforts. Peace Parks is funded by numerous organizations across Europe and Africa, including NGOs, governments, and corporations.
Another example is the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. This park involves Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. In early 2014, Mozambique and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address poaching in the region. The resulting joint park management committee for Limpopo and Kruger National Parks has achieved major successes, including thousands of arrests, seizures of weapons, and the removal of traps.
The Upsides, and the Costs
An important question to ask ourselves is, why is Africa different? Africa, unlike other continents, has a large number of migratory land animals, which makes the issue of connectivity more urgent. For this reason, NGOs and states have collaborated to develop a solution.
Not only do Transfrontier Conservation Areas benefit native wildlife, but they also benefit the nations involved by improving relations among them, creating employment opportunities for local residents, and contributing to the local economy through increased tourism.
While the benefits are numerous, these areas are not without challenges. They have led to forced evictions and to the overlooking of local community needs. Locals often experience a lack of transparency and lack input, which can lead to conflict. In one study, 40% of surveyed households had not heard of the nearby Transfrontier Park. Additionally, tourism revenue from foreign visitors may be prioritized over the needs of local, impoverished communities.
Other issues include international involvement and influence. NGOs, which may be funded by corporations and governments with their own interests, try to exert their influence. In fact, many NGO-led projects and other conservation efforts are dependent on external government funding.
Could this Model Work Beyond Africa?
Although this concept has been applied only in Africa, a similar strategy elsewhere may help mitigate the environmental crisis. Unfortunately, political volatility can alter relationships between neighbouring countries, placing these conservation areas at risk. Another issue is the border fences that have been constructed worldwide.
The main reason for the erection of physical barriers on borders is due to immigration, but terrorism, smuggling, and drug trafficking are all frequently cited causes. All of these are considered securitization issues and are often prioritized over environmental concerns. These national security concerns complicate collaboration.
While fewer large land migrations occur on other continents, many large bird migrations occur, and many animal species still have ranges that cross international borders. There are many conservation efforts centred around biodiversity hotspots such as the Himalayas and the Amazon. However, these efforts often do not consider how best to facilitate collaboration between neighbouring countries.
In particular, the Amazon Rainforest is in nine countries, each with its own interests. Deforestation in these countries is driven by agriculture and resource extraction, and, as with the tragedy of the commons, the many actors maximizing their own benefits without collective responsibility put the rainforest at great risk. The Amazon Rainforest affects global climate and rainfall patterns, prompting interest worldwide. Yet, diplomacy and cooperation have not yet yielded results. Transfrontier conservation initiatives, however, are an untested option worth consideration.
Conditions for a Fairer Transfrontier Model
Transfrontier park models offer many potential benefits, but they must be implemented cautiously and involve the local community. It appears that Africa has ideal conditions for these Transfrontier Parks, but the model could be adapted to work in other areas where connectivity is a challenge, such as the Amazon Rainforest.
Despite political tensions, NGOs may facilitate discussions between nations to develop a solution that addresses security concerns while supporting conservation efforts. NGOs are often able to re-frame issues such as immigration, which may be a concern for some countries, by humanizing migrants and providing services such as shelter and food.
It is also important to examine funding sources to ensure that these projects are free of foreign influence. Some donations come with conditions that allow the donor to more subtly influence project priorities and implementation. The Transfrontier Park model, while imperfect, can create long-lasting partnerships between nations and NGOs which can benefit all parties.
Edited by Light Naing
