ABSTRACT
This chapter explores social and political relations arising at the local resident's nature protection national park nexus in the Pelister National Park. The current direction of nature protection in Pelister is largely a function of broader developments in its host country the Republic of Macedonia. Since gaining independence in 1991, and as a result of its aspirations to become a European Union (EU) member, the country has continuously worked on the harmonization of its internal legal framework with EU legislation. The main purposes of the Law on Nature are to provide for the establishment and management of a system of protected areas aimed at maintaining biological and landscape diversity. Thus, the categorization and zoning of protected areas in the country has been implemented in line with IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) criteria. The flexible governance approaches adopted by the national park have further allowed the institution to support such activities via a range of policies.
