What has the conservation efforts in a post-conflict, post-tsunami Aceh taught us?
Importance of Involving the Community
Almost all of the conservation programmes feature here involves the local community eventually being in charge of maintaining the target environment. This highlights how important it is to give ownership of the resource to those who have the most stake in it. A more participatory approach promotes a sense of fairness and increases the internalisation of environmental values. It is clearly seen that a close-knit social network structure is much more capable of managing natural environment than an extraneous body which is far removed from the conserved space.
Balancing Conservation and Local Needs
The conservation programmes in Aceh succeeded as they addressed the people’s primary concern first: their livelihoods. By linking livelihood options to conservation, the community is integrated and motivated to better manage their natural resources and obtain sustainable benefits from the rehabilitated systems. This enables the effects to be long-lasting even after the programme has officially ended. A programme focusing solely on conservation is difficult to sustain support for.
Importance of External Actors
The conservation programmes in Aceh would have never occurred if not for the support of external organisations. Economically poor regions, such as Aceh, most often do not have the financial and political will to enact laws which protect the environment. The help from NGOs and aid agencies can be vital in initiating conservation programmes by providing the funding and knowledge. Partnerships with the local government in fill gaps in personnel and other resource needs for conducting such programmes.