Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Since the 1990s, there has been an increased trend to implement co-managed ecotourism projects in protected areas around Central America. Based on the idea that this strategy has the potential to generate benefits for the environment and people. This approach has not always led to successful conservation, and in some instances it has contributed to the emergence of conflicts or cause old ones to escalate. This study investigates the co-managed eco-tourism project in the National Park PANACOMA in Honduras. Through interviews under a qualitative approach, this research aims to consolidate the understanding of the ongoing conflict in PANACOMA by looking at the role of identity frames in the emergence and escalation of conflict. The results of this study shows that people will identify with others based on their interests, location, roles and institution, which will influence the frame they use to make sense of conflict. It is then fundamental to understand communities as multidimensional social entities in constant change, where a one-fits-all strategy, instead of contributing to community empowerment, may further contribute to marginalize the poor, and enrich the elite. Therefore, when implementing co-management projects, greater emphasis should be made on understanding the communities relationships, identities and roles.