Description

This paper discusses two important changes in the paradigm of protected area and watershed management. The first one is on the increasing interest on community-based and locally led institutions whether farmer groups or local government units that form part of a participatory approach for natural resource management. Locally led institutions are deemed to be the key for addressing local issues and problems with some guidance from external agencies. The second change is in the view that protected area and watershed management should not limit its management concerns within their area of jurisdiction, but extend their efforts beyond their territory to link and work with larger communities outside the protected area where serious problems arising from pressures in the park emanate. The relationship of reconciling, complimenting and co-managing the protected area and watersheds through the three management entities and their respective domains is summarized as the “Preventive Systems Approach” or PSA.