Why is wild-life more important than people? Conservation strategies, perceptions and contradictions in two protected areas from Trás-os-Montes
Conference Paper
Overview
Research
View All
Overview
abstract
Portuguese authorities for nature conservation have been engaged in comprehensive resource
networks and effective legislation and regulations for protected areas putting together different efforts
to sustain biodiversity and to enlist the full range of partners. It appears that the involvement and
participation of local communities was the essential basis on which protected areas would build a system
of management which has integrity, security and success, particularly those including human
settlements. Nevertheless, conservation measures were mostly designed by outsiders who were
culturally detached and parks boundaries were mainly based on environmental criteria.
Two important natural protected areas, located in the most north-eastern part of Portugal (Trás-os-
Montes), have a great diversity of natural and semi-natural habitats and humanized landscapes which are
repositories of nature and cultural heritage. The territories of the Natural Park of Montesinho and the
Natural Park of Douro International are the result of many geographical and historical factors and
represent harmonious integration of human activity with nature, allowing ecological diversity to be
maintained and valued.
Based on key-informants' opinions we explore their personal experience with the parks authorities and
their ideas about the management of these protected areas. Key-informants main argument is that
national conservation networks and strategies did not take into account regional identity, people
background and local believes and habits. Moreover, it is perceived that most of the initiatives have
never recognized the vital role of human activity in such areas maintenance and the contribution of local
knowledge (LK) to the current environment. Many occurrences decreased the intrinsic value of regional
landscapes which were considered part of the cultural heritage and had embedded intangible values
such as dwelling, spiritual and aesthetical values, local tradition, neighborly and inter-generational
relations. Local ideas of nature have determined distinguishable values of plants and animals and
outlined different orientations towards predatory actions.
