the impact of rural livelihood on biodiversity conservation
TRANSCRIPT
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THE IMPACT OF RURAL LIVELIHOOD ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
PAPER REVIEWS AND DISCUSION
December,2015
E.D. Turkson, MSA (2015)
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CONTENT
Contents
THE IMPACT OF RURAL LIVELIHOOD ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ......................................................... 1
FORWORD ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
KEY ISSUES; ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Rural livelihood .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Biodiversity in Rural Areas ............................................................................................................................. 6
LOOKING FORWARD: MAINTENANCE............................................................................................................ 8
KEY REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................... 10
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FORWORD
The purpose of this paper is to raise stimulus for
discussion by interrogating and expanding
critically, real issues of the impact of rural
livelihood on biodiversity and vice versa. This
paper also provokes the discussion for the big
issue of choices, thus choosing between;
eradication/reduction of poverty to the barest
minimum and the Environment, for that matter
biodiversity. Loss of biodiversity is a loss of
economic, social, global and most importantly
environmental relevance. Address the harm
caused to the environment therefore has an
echoing impact on the environment and certainly
the micro economic landscape.
The livelihood of rural people mostly do not reflect
the biodiversity assets of the area. Masters of
biodiversity conservation and rural development
activist have pondered over the reasons why
biodiversity with all it benefits has not been able
to alleviate poverty and as a matter of fact
entrenched in areas of severe poverty. What is the
essence of Biodiversity to the local inhabitants if it
cannot provide them with basic needs to make a
decent living? Analyzing critically, you will realize
that, areas with high endowment of biodiversity in
most cases has natural capital as their only assets.
It is therefore imperative to build a system of
maintenance which will upkeep and build upon
the local and all the assets which creates a descent
livelihood.
KEY ISSUES;
Rural livelihood
Biodiversity Conservation
Discussion of the relationship between biodiversity and poverty
Maintenance of biodiversity to alleviate poverty
Provocation Questions
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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this paper is to raise stimulus for discussion by examining and expanding critically, real issues
of the impact of rural livelihood on biodiversity and vice versa. This paper also provokes the discussion for
the big issue of choices, thus choosing between; eradication/reduction of poverty to the barest minimum
and the Environment, for that matter biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet
which includes man living in a particular geographical area, their surrounding habitats and the materials of
which they are made. Most of the world’s biodiverse areas are concentrated in rural areas where the
peoples’ capabilities and means of living, including basic food, income and assets are questionable. Rural
people depend largely on agricultural and biodiversity resources for their survival. Forest play an important
role for the livelihood of rural people. While agriculture is their most important activity, forests provide a
wide variety of additional products for cash generation as well as subsistence use. Timber and other
resources are sold for cash income, while firewood, fruits and medicinal plants are used in the household.
These sources of income become especially important when the main crops have failed or additional cash
income is needed. With all these benefit biodiversity and forest resources provide for the rural people, most
rural folks do not live a descent livelihood.
(Cromwell, 1999), in a case study on agriculture, biodiversity and livelihoods, highlighted that, there are
some evidences that agricultural biodiversity is concentrated in areas of poverty. She further emphasized
that there are more plant diversity in developing countries which is concentrated in the poorest, least
developed regions of countries. This has led to a view that development and agricultural biodiversity are in
opposition, and that economic development should involve the ‘conversion’ of diverse areas to ‘more
productive’ areas. In her paper, she interestingly stated, Clare Short, 23 June 1997quote “There is no space for
the myth that we must either choose the eradication of poverty or choose the environment. To work towards
eradicating poverty we need to protect environmental resources. To protect those resources, we need to
eradicate poverty.” (Cromwell, 1999 p.40). Biodiversity is threatened not only when species are made to
extinct, but also when the dynamics are disturbed. Conserving biodiversity is thus a delicate balancing act
that many international and national bodies are striving to master. Although Biodiversity has been linked
with poverty alleviation over the years by nations across the world, there seems to be no clear relationship
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between these two key issues. These two different schools of thought are parallel in their concept and appears
to oppose each other.
What is the missing factor that can harmonize these two important heavy thoughts?
(Chambers & Conway, 1991) in their IDS Discussion on Sustainable rural livelihood: practical concept for the
21st century, commented that livelihood is environmentally sustainable when it maintains the local and
global assets on which they depend with net benefit to other livelihoods. Livelihood is the capabilities, assets
(including both material and social resources) and activities required for a means of living. (DFID, 1999). The
greatest chance that rural people’s livelihood will have a positive impact on the biodiversity and sustain it
for future generation is when the issue of maintenance is brought into the equation. Maintenance here is
like an engineering tool which will drive the biodiversity to lessen poverty. The issue of maintenance though
little discussed in the field of Wildlife and Forest resources possibly will be the missing factor in the argument
of biodiversity and poverty. The different agnostic proposition of ‘Conversion’ of bio-diverse areas to ‘more
productive’ areas or ‘protection of the environment to alleviate poverty’ can converge on a common ground of
maintenance. The richness of the forest and the environment certainly have an impact on the economy. A
more diverse forest has a complex mix of tree resources which are of great economic and sustenance value
to the community, environment and the universe at large. Some one-fourth of the world’s poor are said to
depend fully or in part on forest products for subsistence needs (White and Martin, 2002). Yet still, the
livelihood of rural people mostly has not reflected the biodiversity assets imbedded in the area. It is now
recognized that more attention must be paid to the various factors and processes which either constrain or
enhance poor people’s ability to make a living in an economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable
manner.
Rural livelihood
The most popular composite definition of a sustainable rural livelihood, which is applied most commonly at
the household level reads as: "A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (stores, resources, claims and
access) and activities required for a means of living: a livelihood is sustainable which can cope with and
recover from stress and shocks, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide sustainable
livelihood opportunities for the next generation; and which contributes net benefits to other livelihoods at
the local and global levels and in the short and long term." (Chambers & Conway, 1991, p.) Basically
livelihoods are several exercises involving securing water, food, medicine, shelter, clothing and the capacity
to acquire a little above necessities working either individually or as a group to sustain household needs.
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These activities are usually carried out repeatedly. For instance, a cocoa farmer’s livelihood depends on the
availability and accessibility of cocoa and land.
Biodiversity in Rural Areas
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, (MEA), (2005) acknowledges the importance of biodiversity as a
source of ecosystem services for human well-being and sustainable development. Policymakers, donors,
NGO activists, businessmen, journalists, researchers, and community activists over the years have increased
and contributed immensely towards biodiversity conservation. The United Nations declared 2010 to be the
International Year of Biodiversity to celebrate life on earth and an invitation to take action to safeguard it.
More than ever, conservation of biodiversity has been on the top priority list, yet the MEA notes that the
rates of biodiversity loss have accelerated rather than decline. Most international biodiversity conservation
organizations such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have responded
to this menace by conducting Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) surveys in remote and vulnerable
ecosystems around the world, raising awareness about the critical role of biodiversity conservation in
sustainable development.
Many Non-Governmental Organizations like the Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) focus on biodiversity
conservation and have come to a recognition that the number of expertise in biodiversity conservation is
not significant. And in the light of this, work in collaboration with experts to organize seminars to provide
capacity building through knowledge transfer, and promote good management practices in conservation
areas. These seminars and educative workshops are in the right direction. Nevertheless the rate at which
the forests and rivers in Ghana are deteriorating is very alarming and very discouraging. Regardless of all
these workshop and seminars being organized, deforestation occurs at a rate of 1.7% per year to Ghana’s
forest which makes up over 40% of the country’s total land mass. From 1990 to 2005, Ghana lost 35% of
forest land cover (Siaw, 1998). In addition to severe deforestation, Ghana has also experienced significant
levels of forest degradation, attributed to wildfires, forest clearing for cocoa and other crops, untenable
logging practices, population growth and mining (Agyarkon, 2007)
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In Focus 01: The Case Of Prestea, Livelihoods verses Biodiversity/Environment
Prestea is a mining town which used to be highly endowed with biodiversity and forest resources with clean and
well-kept environment where garbage on floor generated an itchy outlook. There can’t be place like utopia in our
part of the world, but I can confidently say that this town, Prestea, was getting there. Today, everything have gone
down the drain, the place has lost it culture of cleanliness and is currently in a highly unsustainable dimensions.
Now garbage has infiltrated the whole town, in drainage passages. River Ankobra, the only river which serves as a
drinking water and other domestic purposes is in it terrible and devastating state. The health implication to the local
people who have no other option of water is perturbing. Filth has been the order of the day. No concern is shown
when a heap of garbage surrounds a neighbor’s compound or rubbish is thrown in the drains. In the aspect of
forest resources also, the general believe is that, their economic development should involve the ‘conversion’ of
diverse areas, thus forest resource to ‘more productive’ areas. Most of the biodiversity reserves have been converted to
illegal mining site popularly known as ‘galamsey’. The impact of this unaccepted act on the environment is grave, highly
disappointing and twice as bad as previous thought. The youth have diverted their effort from agriculture to this illegal
mining practice and have turned it out to be their ultimate financial safe haven. The current unemployment and economic
state of affairs in the country is alarming with no signs of recovering. While many impoverished farmers simply seeking
to eke out of living, have diverted from farming and have grown rich from the gold rush, which now employ hundreds
of both illegal and legal small scale miners. Some use mechanical diggers and even dredging boats in our rivers to mine
gold. There has been several attempt by the government to clamp down on the illegal miners but all attempts prove
futile. It is nearly impossible to drive these people out as it has become the only source of living, considering the
implication on the local economy. Here, it’s either mine or perish.
The Ankobra River in the 1980s
The Ankobra in 2015
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The donor community agreed an aspiring target for poverty elimination in developing countries - the
reduction of people living in extreme poverty by half between 1990 and 2015 (World Bank 2001). Despite
decades of investment in rural development initiatives, poverty is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, with no
signs of significant reduction (Berry 1993). Prominent researchers in the field of biodiversity conservation
and rural development activist have deliberated over the reasons why biodiversity with all it benefits has
not been able to ease poverty although sited in areas of severe poverty. Analyzing critically, one will realize
that, areas with high endowment of biodiversity in most cases has natural capital as their only assets. What
happened to social, financial, human and physical capital per the definition and groupings of assets as in
(Fouracre,1999). These are basic and important assets needed for development. On the contrary, most
developed areas have almost all the capitals as their assets. Socially they have built networks, membership
of groups, relationships of trust, have access to wider institutions of society. In human capital they have
special skills, knowledge, technology, good health, ability to pursue different livelihood strategies. In terms
of Physical Capital, transport, shelter, water, energy and communications, production equipment and means
which enable people to pursue their livelihoods are available and good finance which provide them with
different livelihood options. Indeed there is no space for the myth that we must either choose the eradication
of poverty or choose the environment, but to work towards eradicating poverty we need to protect
environmental resources and build on the other important aspects of assets as discussed above in the rural
areas where biodiversity and natural resources are heavy.
LOOKING FORWARD: MAINTENANCE
A number of international NGOs are developing systems and tools to assist companies seeking to improve
their management of Biodiversity impacts. Maintenance and Sustainability Africa is a Non-Governmental
organization with much of their community works in a rural mining area in Africa, Ghana, and so knows the
complexity and sensitive nature of this situation. MSA understands the repercussions of completely annulling
illegal/’galamsey’ mining in these areas on the local economy, which most people do not consider. On that note,
we provide a win-win situation by returning or reconverting disturbed land into it former or improved state. We
therefore agree with R Chambers and G.R. Conway in their sustainable rural livelihood, stating that ‘a livelihood
is environmentally sustainable when it MAINTAINS the local and global assets on which livelihood depends, and
has a benefit effects on other livelihood’. To curb the over exploitation of biodiversity and forest resources, it is
imperative to build a system of maintenance which will upkeep and build upon the local and all the assets which
creates a descent livelihood. Because of the complexities and sensitive nature of use of natural resources there
is the need to tread cautiously and be able to bargain a win-win solution. A maintenance tool like land
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reclamation is a vital approach to help continue, promote healthful conditions and improve our environment
simultaneously, it will make it possible to use the land resources more productively. The land in about five years’
time would be used for agriculture biodiversity production. Land reclamation has been a successful program
since the mid-19th Century. Hong Kong and many nations has expanded most their limited lands by this
intervention,( 60 acres of land in 1890 Hong Kong).( Hong Kong DisneyLand Resort, International Airport and its
predecessor, Kai Tak Airport and lots of city’s were all built on reclaimed land)—can be taken off . Unfortunately
in the part of many rural comunities, there is no such measures.
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KEY REFERENCES
Agyarkon, D. (2007). Friends of the Earth; Tang 2010; USFS2011
Berry, S. (1993) No Condition is Permanent: The Social Dynamics of Agrarian Change in sub-Saharan Africa.
University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin.
Bruce Campbell, B., Luckert, M., and Mutamba, M. (2003). Conclusions on a three-year case study on what
rural development community can do to improve rural livelihoods in southern Zimbabwe.
Chambers, R &Conway, G. (1991). Sustainable Rural livelihoods: practical concepts for the 21st century
Cromwell, E. (1999). Agriculture, Biodiversity and Livelihoods: Issues and Entry Points
DFID (1999). Sustainable Livelihoods guidance sheets.London: DFID
Fouracre, K. (1999). TRL limited in DFID, on Transport and Sustainable rural Livelihood
Siaw. (1998) Friends of the Earth n.d. USFS2011; FAO 2004.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, (MEA), (2005).
World Bank 2001 World Development Report 2000/2001: attacking poverty. Oxford University Press, Oxford,
UK.
White and Martin. (2002). Resource extraction in poor countries: forest regrowth and trade-offs.
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MAINTENANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY AFRICA- MSA
ACCRA GHANA
www.masuafrica.org
TEL: +233240910897
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