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Why we must question the militarisation of conservation

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 17:25 authored by Rosaleen Duffy, Francis Massé, Emile Smidt, Esther Marijnen, Bram Büscher, Judith Verweijen, Maano Ramutsindela, Trishant Simlai, Laure Joanny, Elizabeth Lunstrum
Concerns about poaching and trafficking have led conservationists to seek urgent responses to tackle the impact on wildlife. One possible solution is the militarisation of conservation, which holds potentially far-reaching consequences. It is important to engage critically with the militarisation of conservation, including identifying and reflecting on the problems it produces for wildlife, for people living with wildlife and for those tasked with implementing militarised strategies. This Perspectives piece is a first step towards synthesising the main themes in emerging critiques of militarised conservation. We identify five major themes: first, the importance of understanding how poaching is defined; second, understanding the ways that local communities experience militarised conservation; third, the experiences of rangers; fourth, how the militarisation of conservation can contribute to violence where conservation operates in the context of armed conflict; and finally how it fits in with and reflects wider political economic dynamics. Ultimately, we suggest that failure to engage more critically with militarisation risks making things worse for the people involved and lead to poor conservation outcomes in the long run.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Biological Conservation

ISSN

0006-3207

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

232

Page range

66-73

Department affiliated with

  • International Relations Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sussex Centre for Conflict and Security Research Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-04-01

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-04-01

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-03-31

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