Effectiveness of protected area revenue-sharing program: Lessons from the key informants of Nepal's buffer zone...

Area of Science:

• Conservation Science
• Community-based Conservation
• Biodiversity Management

Background:

• Sharing benefits from protected areas (PAs) with local communities is crucial for conservation.
• The Buffer Zone (BZ) program involves land-use restrictions and revenue sharing with communities near PAs.
• The effectiveness of BZ programs for conservation and development remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Nepal's 26-year-old Buffer Zone (BZ) program.
• To identify key factors influencing the success of integrated conservation and development initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Key informant interviews with 41 stakeholders involved in Nepal's BZ program.
• Qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives on conservation and development outcomes.

Main Results:

• The institutional platform provided by the BZ program, not just revenue sharing, significantly impacts integrated conservation and development.
• Local autonomy for BZ institutions can enhance program effectiveness.
• Shifting focus to conservation education, wildlife damage mitigation, and victim relief is beneficial.

Conclusions:

• The institutional framework of BZ programs is more impactful than revenue sharing alone.
• Enhancing local autonomy and adapting program focus can improve conservation and community development outcomes.
• Leveraging BZ funds with other sources amplifies program impact.