ABSTRACT

Institutions and individuals having a direct, significant and specific stake in a protected area may originate from geographical proximity, historical associa­ tion, dependence for livelihood, institutional mandate, economic interest, or a variety of other concerns. However, these ‘stakeholders’ are united in being aware of their own interests in managing the protected area, possessing specific capacities or comparative advantages for such management, and having a willingness to invest specific resources - such as time, money or polit­ ical authority - for such management (Borrini-Feyerabend, 1997). The different stakeholders generally have different interests, ways of perceiving problems and opportunities about the protected area, and varying approaches to protected area management. Their interests all need to be appropriately repre­ sented if the protected area system is to be effectively managed.