Underperformance of African Protected Area Networks and the Case for New Conservation Models: Insights from Zambia

摘要: Many African protected areas (PAs) are not functioning effectively. We reviewed the performance of Zambia’s PA network and provide insights into how their effectiveness might be improved. PAs under-performing in ecological, economic social terms. Reasons include: a) rapidly expanding human populations, poverty open-access systems Game Management Areas (GMAs) resulting widespread bushmeat poaching habitat encroachment; b) underfunding Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) inadequate law enforcement; c) reliance ZAWA on extracting revenues from GMAs to cover operational costs which has prevented proper devolution user-rights over wildlife communities; d) on-going marginalization communities legal benefits wildlife; e) under-development photo-tourism industry with effect that earnings limited a fraction network; f) unfavourable terms corruption discourage good practice adequate investment by hunting operators GMAs; g) blurred responsibilities regarding anti-poaching under-investment all stakeholders. The combined these challenges been major reduction densities most loss GMAs. fares better private and/or NGO sector where settlement is absent. There need for: elevated government funding for ZAWA; greater international donor area management; shift role such they focus primarily national parks while facilitating development wildlife-based land uses other stakeholders elsewhere; new models based joint-ventures between sector. Such should defined ownership land, aim attract long-term private/donor investment. These recommendations relevant many under-funded occurring countries.