| Abstrakt: |
This paper examines "decentralization" as a management strategy on the quality of protected area management in Ecuador. Two cases are analyzed--the Cajas National Park and the Condor Bioreserve Watershed Protection Area--to see how decentralization influences conservation success. This study describes the recent agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the Cuenca Municipality for the management of Cajas National Park, and the cooperative multi-sectoral partnership for the management of the Condor Bioreserve. Advantages and disadvantages of both alternatives are presented. Evidence shows that a critical component to effective decentralization is for the Ministry of the Environment to provide clear rules to the responsible third party managers of the protected areas, whether these third party managers are local governments or multi-sectoral groups. Recommendations are made to help guide future decentralization efforts. First, a clear distinction between a protected area manager and a resource user must be provided in the regulatory framework if conflicts of interest, which might ultimately undermine effective conservation, are to be avoided. Second, public organizations should be officially encouraged to become involved in protected area management. And third, the interrelationship of national and international nongovernmental organizations needs to be maintained or strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
