Mapping actors' interests and protected area management outcomes in the Campo Ma’an landscape of Cameroon

Abstract

The extensive literature highlights the link between protected area conservation and livelihoods. However, theoretical evidence on actor constellations and their interests in the pursuit of conservation and livelihood goals remains nuanced. Using the Actor Centered Power (ACP) lens, we contribute to provide clarity around the Campo Ma'an Landscape of Cameroon by: (1) exploring the interests of diverse actor typologies, and (2) determining the outcomes linked to actor engagement around the landscape. Data was collected through key informant interviews (n = 25) and focus group discussions (n = 10) in four sectors around the landscape. Based on directed content analysis and narratives, the following conclusions are drawn: Firstly, a constellation of state-civil society actors dominate the landscape, followed by enterprise-based actors (economic operators). Second, while the state-civil society actor constellation significantly manifest ecological interest (biodiversity conservation and habitat preservation), potentials exist for enterprise-based actors to switch their interest away from the expansion of plantations in favour of ecotourism enterprise development (e.g. gorilla habituation). Thirdly, ecological outcomes predominate the landscape; while bio-resource conservation is positive and less significant, poaching and forest conversion as negative ecological outcomes, are highly significant. The empirical evidence contributes to the furtherance of the ACP theoretical framework on two fronts; it emphasizes the role of enterprise-based actors' interests in defining protected area management outcomes. It further demonstrates the potentials for convergence between conservation and enterprise-based actors in the frame of ecotourism enterprise development. This represents a useful pathway to advance non-coercive power exercise in the pursuit of conservation and livelihoods.