Conservation in violent environments: Introduction to a special issue on the political ecology of conservation amidst violent conflict

• Published in: Political geography 2021-05, Vol.87, p.102253, Article 102253
• Main Authors: Marijnen, Esther, de Vries, Lotje, Duffy, Rosaleen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Conflict; Conservation; Donors; Environmental peacebuilding; Green militarisation; International organizations; Morality; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Political ecology; Private sector; Violence; Violent environments
• ISSN: 0962-6298; 1873-5096
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polgeo.2020.102253

Within conservation circles a central challenge is: what are the best ways to conserve nature during, or in the aftermath of] war. Recent studies, mostly quantitative, have highlighted that war and protracted violent conflict can negatively impact biodiversity and the integrity of protected areas (Daskin 8^ Pringle, 2018). Instead of withdrawing from the protection of key species in these areas, certain scholars make a strong case that conservation efforts should continue and can actually be central to post-conflict peacebuilding efforts (see Ali, 2007; Conca % Dabelko, 2002); these efforts include the active involvement of international conservation actors (NGOs, donors, private sector, international organisations) which should step-in to avoid the destruction of flora and fauna (see e.g. Eckersley, 2007). Some argue that this is especially important in contexts where national authorities either do not prioritize conservation, have inadequate resources and/or political will to engage in effective conservation, and that it is therefore critical that external actors step in to fill a conservation vacuum (Hanson et al., 2009).