SOCIAL-CHANGE AND CONSERVATION MISREPRESENTATION IN AFRICA

Concomitant with the increasing denouncement of African game legislati on as inappropriate law imposed by a former colonial authority, is the attack upon traditional, i.e. total protection, practice of conservat ion. It is increasingly argued by a school of neo-populist thinkers, t hat local people should be allowed to exploit protected areas in accor dance with their own traditions and beliefs. Examples of alleged injus tice or practice are consistently misrepresented with a view to replac ing traditional conservation practice with left-wing political dogma, proponents claiming a mandate from the Caracas 1992 IVth World Congres s on National Parks and Protected Areas.