Developing a partnership of indigenous peoples, conservationists, and land use planners in Latin America

Illustrating from a rich body of case material, Poole's report reflects a shift away from the traditional view - represented by certain national parks and similar protected areas - that indigenous peoples be allowed to occupy and use an area's resources following rules set by conservationists. Under the new paradigm that is developing, indigenous peoples are seen as an integral part of protected area planning through agreements worked out in partnership with conservation authorities. An example of this new approach is the role that indigenous peoples are playing in the design of biosphere reserves. Poole suggests that the Bank and other development organizations pay more attention to vernacular economies - economies based on local resources, used either for subsistence or as a source of revenue. He also recommends more research into economics and resource implications of these local activities to harvest wild resources, especially in environmentally delicate areas such as tropical rainforests.