| Abstract: | SUMMARY Members of Eco Bolivia have watched the process of development and conservation unfold in northwestern Bolivia over the last 40 years or so. After a series of destructive development strategies, the indigenous people of northwestern Bolivia have shown great interest in moving towards sustainable development and conservation of the incredibly rich ecosystems of the area, especially in and around Madidi National Park. Madidi is the heart of a mosaic of protected areas and indigenous territories in Bolivia and Peru. The diversity of the region has attracted the attention of national and foreign governments, multilateral agencies, and international NGOs, all of whom claim a great interest in conservation, and usually emphasize the importance of working with local people toward the ultimate goal of self-management. However, over the years it has become clear that the government is much more interested in quick profits than in long-term sustainability, and powerful NGOs often pay only lip service to real community involvement. Largely due to the recognition the area has received, conservation efforts are now plagued by corruption, competition for funding, inefficiency, a lack of accountability, and a top-down management approach that severely disempowers local peoples. The ultimate solution may require a system by which NGOs and the government are held responsible for a commitment to local self-management and involvement in all stages of conservation and development projects. |
