Community-Based Management

Source: Community Councils

In collaboration of previous mentioned solutions which encompasses of international laws to be the overarching framework that is to be enacted over the entire world, community-based solutions could also be considered and contribute to the formation of effective variations of management for the specific locality. This would mean that the laws would have to be made with appropriate representatives from each affected regions/areas. This allows participation in decision making, and would contribute to the internalization of pro-environmental norms towards the Javan Rhinos for those that are affected. Another reason for why are communities’ participation in the formation in international law necessary would be, the locals that are affected would know better about the local environment and related factors other than the locals who are also using the same piece of land daily. In addition, an expert/professional in the local ecology should also be attached and provide consultation to the community with regard to the way of managing the local ecology for better conservation of the Javan Rhinos. In relation to local poachers, having a community norm on the treatment of the Javan Rhinos also contributes to mutual observation, social pressure, mutual respect, concern for one another and a sense of obligation to the group or duty as a group member which would all discourage the poachers from violating and betraying the group’s interest (Gardner & Stern, 2002).

Source: Twitter

As a clarification, community-based management should move from an informal form of community norm(s) and regulation(s)/sanction(s) regarding rewarding and punishing violators, to becoming a formal variation of the international law, after getting approved by the recognised and authorised international organisation who is legislating the law. Thus, in such a system the law and local community-base management should work closely together to achieve highest efficiency in terms of external (extrinsic punishments such as fines, caning,) and internal restrictions (fear of violating social norms that might destroyed relationships with the community which one values) from both laws and community pressure to deter the violation of rhino poaching and illegal rhino products possession and trading.

Examples of community involvement in the protection of the Javan Rhinos, could be in the form of Javan Rhinos monitoring when they are in an area where there are Javan Rhinos activity (Murphy, 2004).

The photo below illustrates a community engaging in monitoring.

Source: Ecosystem Workforce Program

They can thus act as a form of keeping watch serving as a no-cost monitoring service for their beloved species and alert the conservation organisation if they spot any potential poachers. Their presence can also scare away potential poachers.

Source: Conroy’s Security Academy

In the event that poachers are rather aggressive and proceed to engage in poaching, the community could also be legally allowed to own their own guns for self-defense, and also to deterred poachers in their area of protection. The community could even set up their own roster duty for keeping a look out for poachers. However, using weapons to deter armed poachers could be a risky business, and should only be attempted by the combat trained brave men of the community. In relation to this community initiated service, the conservation organisation could also attached a firearms expert to equipped the community’s volunteers with the skills and specialty to operate a firearm when encountering a poacher. Of course, this brings into consideration that a law must also be erected and enacted that allows the community service member to shoot to disabled certain parts of the body but not kill without any legal repercussions.

 

You may be wondering, it might seem logical to have proper laws and community support established, but all of these could probably not even work if people do not get inform or educated in the first place regarding these issues. Well you are right! Click below to learn more!