CHALLENGES TO NATURE CONSERVATION WITH COMMUNITY-DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AFRICAN FORESTS

Based on field research in the Central African Republic, this article discusses several social and economic challenges to conservation progr ammes that include community development components. These interrelate d challenges include immigration as people elsewhere are attracted to economic opportunities, the lack of tenure of land and natural resourc es, diversification of economic and subsistence strategies, ethnic div ersity and the lack of a conservation ethic. Addressing these challeng es requires fundamental socio-economic change.