Conservation complexities: conservationists’ and local landowners’ different perceptions of development and conservation in Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

For some people, conservation may be the story of saving the world as we know it. It may be perceived as conservationists’ continuous battles against gigantic forces such as population growth, extractive industries and corrupt governments in an attempt to save the planet’s biodiversity for future generations. For some rural forest dwellers, conservation may be seen as social and economic progress, social change and access to modern commodities. However, a quick look at recent debates of conservation tells the story of rural forest dwellers being dispossessed from their land due to the establishment of protected areas 9cf.Kelly 2011; Li 2011), of local disempowerment, and of unrealised expectations (cf.West 2006). (First paragraph of paper).