Adopting the inclusive conservation approach to ensure a sustainable future for people and biodiversity

Abstract

Over the years, the framing of biodiversity conservation in Africa has shifted mainly in response to the underpinning perceptions, views, motives, and ideologies. Here, we discuss the main changes in the framing of conservation in Africa and single out the inclusive conservation approach as the model that has the potential to successfully address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, reduce direct pressures on biodiversity, promote sustainable use, safeguard ecosystems, promote species and genetic diversity, and enhance the benefits of biodiversity for all people.Traditionally, the idea of limiting human resource use in specifically defined areas to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services seems to have been an ancient practice, common to most cultures. For example, African communities have been practicing conservation for generations, applying their adaptive knowledge and skills and using customary laws to enforce community regulations, exercise control over the land, prevent over-exploitation, and settle disputes over the  useof  resources.  These  long-held  traditional  community-based  natural  resource management (CBNRM) systems were, to a great extent, disrupted by the emergence of colonial powers at the end of the 19th century