The recently published book "Peace Parks. Conservation and Conflict Resolution" edited by Saleem H. Ali, examines the ways in which environmental cooperation in multijurisdictional conservation areas may help resolve political and territorial conflicts. Following a historical and theoretical overview that explores economic, political, and social theories that support the concept of peace parks, and discussion of bioregional management for science and economic development, the book presents case studies of existing parks and proposals for future parks. After describing such real-life examples as the Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor in Africa and the Emerald Triangle conservation zone in Indochina, the book looks to the future, exploring the peace-building potential of envisioned parks in security-intensive spots including the U.S.-Mexican border, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, and the Mesopotamian marshlands between Iraq and Iran. Against this backdrop, ECC editors asked Saleem H. Ali about the contribution of Peace Parks to conservation, peace and regional cooperation as well as on potential obstacles to achieving these goals.

ECC Editors: Under which circumstances can peace parks contribute to conflict resolution? Which peace park is the most outstanding example in this regard?

Saleem H. Ali: If there is a clear connection made between conservation of resources and mutual gains for adversaries, peace parks can work effectively as an instrumental means of conflict resolution. The issue needs to be presented pragmatically (not just idealistically) with a clear set of tangible advantages of establishment laid out to the contending parties.  The Cordillera del Condor region between Ecuador and Peru is a good example of how environmental factors were used to resolve a territorial dispute with mediation from the U.S.

ECC Editors: What are the key requirements needed for the successful establishment of a peace park?

Saleem H. Ali: Effective community interactions prior to the establishment of the park is essential to avoid micro-conflicts. Furthermore, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent abuse of the system are also vitally important. Modern remote sensing technologies are being applied by organizations such as Sandia National Labs' Cooperative Monitoring Center to help with such efforts. Joint environmental management by security forces can also be an important way of linking ecological conservation and security and building trust between parties.

ECC Editors: What are on the other hand the main obstacles regarding the establishment and success of peace parks at the different political and regional levels? Can you give a regional example to illustrate these difficulties?

Saleem H. Ali: The most significant obstacle is the way government bureaucracies are managed in most countries and jurisdictions. Environmental issues are completely separated from defence and security issues and often relegated to "low politics". Leaders who understand the primacy of environmental factors as a cooperative tool are essential to make this happen. Let me give an example from South Asia: two years ago we got some funding from the National Science Foundation to initiate collaborative environmental research between Pakistani and Indian scientists in the Siachen region with the goal of potentially having a "science for peace" park to deescalate the conflict (similar in conception to the Antarctic Treaty). At the last minute both sides denied visas to each other’s scientists because the security personnel though that environmental scientists might get access to sensitive "state information". Until leaders are willing to work beyond such irrational rivalries, it is difficult to get peace parks established in the areas of active conflict that need them most.

ECC Editors: One of the greatest challenges for most protected areas is the lack of effective communication and cooperation between stakeholder groups. What is the strategy of transboundary protected areas in addressing this problem?

Saleem H. Ali: The process of establishing a peace park inherently requires consensus to emerge about management strategies across borders – both physical and ideological. In the book we describe the strategy of using peace and conflict assessments with stakeholders prior to establishing a transboundary protected area, as has been used particularly in central Africa. Once it is clear to the stakeholders that the peace park effort is not an attempt at cooptation or manipulating their rights, you can have sincere engagement. As with many other well-intentioned efforts, the implementation strategy can make or break the project. However, there is now a critical mass of experience and guidance that is available to help governments and communities work constructively in this regard.

ECC Editors: Thank you very much for the interview.

Saleem H. Ali is Associate Professor of Environmental Planning at the Rubenstein School of Natural Resources at the University of Vermont and holds adjunct faculty appointments at Brown University and the United Nations mandated University for Peace.

The book "Peace Parks: Conservation and Conflict Resolution" is available at http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11250

Published in: ECC-Newsletter, December 2007