Bridging the great divide: State, civil society, and ‘participatory’ conservation mapping in a resource extraction zone

Background

The author evaluates the outcomes of a participatory and inclusive mapping technique in a mineral extraction zone—the Cordillera Huayhuash—in the Andes of Central Peru. Knowing that land titling is often a source of mistrust and conflict between communities and the government, this technique offers a way to build counter-narratives to the unused territory story often told by state resource management agencies in charge of granting concessions to outside interests.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The end product of the study focused on governance outcomes, which has contributed to the filing for land titles in the community. The author concludes argueing participatory conservation zoning methods can help build bridges between the state and civil society and thus ease the existing tension.