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Why is wild-life more important than people? Conservation strategies, perceptions and contradictions in two protected areas from Trás-os-Montes

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Resumo: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.
Autores principais:Carvalho, Ana Maria
Outros Autores:Frazão-Moreira, Amélia
Assunto:Ethobotanica portuguesa Portuguese ethnobotany
Ano:2012
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:documento de conferência
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
Idioma:inglês
Origem:Biblioteca Digital do IPB

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