The project aims to examine the human and social dimensions of hunting
for consumptive use in tropical forests, including bushmeat and the bushmeat
trade. In contrast to most research previously carried out that has focussed on the ecological and biodiversity impacts of bushmeat hunting, the project aims to much expand understanding of bushmeat as an important dimension of livelihoods security for poor people, often in weak states.
It is anticipated that through attaining a better understanding of the human and social dimensions of hunting, new approaches towards solving the bushmeat crisis will be developed.
Funding:
This two year research project has been funded by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation under the Conservation and Sustainable Development Programme.
top
of page
|
| 
Although wild meat hunting occurs globally, the project is focussing on wild meat hunting in the tropics and particularly the tropical moist forests of south and central America, west and central Africa, as well as those of south-east Asia. Not only are the potential negative impacts on biodiversity greatest in these zones, but the in-effectiveness of current management of bushmeat hunting is greatest and its association with livelihoods most significant. However, experiences from other zones will be assimilated as appropriate.
top
of page
|
- An authorative framework developed to analyse the issue of hunting and trade in bushmeat, linking social and ecological concerns.
 A framework is currently under development in association with a range of collaborators that will result in a more effective and policy-relevant analysis of bushmeat hunting, the bushmeat trade and livelihoods. This is being achieved through up-dating and assimilating knowledge on international and national investments in wildlife management and forest governance, reviewing current relevant theoretical paradigms and the gathering of an up-to-date database of contacts with field projects, national agencies and NGOs etc.
- Approaches and principles developed for the context-specific design of better policy.
A portfolio of case studies is being assembled in order to examine the effectiveness of different intervention strategies in varying contexts. Case studies are being chosen on the basis of data and literature reviews carried out above and using geographical, social and ecological criteria.
Recommendations will be derived from empirical insights and differentiated by the appropriate actor (state, civil society, private sector, community etc) and the domain (changes in policy and legislation – including tenurial arrangements, national and local effort controls), organisational arrangements and relationships, market influences and trade practices.
- Well-targeted dissemination activities undertaken which will increase international awareness of the major social dimensions of the bushmeat industry, and of the management issues arising.
A range of succinct, policy-oriented, publications will be produced providing concise and constructive reviews of the issues examined, the findings of case reviews and arising policy recommendations.
An international conference will be held towards the end of the research project (late 2004) drawing together the extensive knowledge and experience of key thinkers and practitioners working on forest and natural resource governance, with a particular interest in the bushmeat trade and hunting. It is envisaged that an edited conference volume will be forthcoming and published.
A range of articles and papers in the academic and general press as well as for conferences are under production or are being planned.
top
of page
|
|
The research project is hosted by the Overseas Development Institute in London (UK) and is fronted by:
Dr David Brown - ODI Research Fellow - Project Coordinator
more | e.mail
Dr Cecelia Luttrell - ODI Research Officer
more | e.mail
An advisory panel has been set-up in order to facilitate the progress of the project. Its members are:
Prof. Kathy Homewood, Head, Department of Anthropology, University College London
more | e.mail
Dr Glyn Davies, Institute of Zoology, London.
more | e.mail
Ms Jane Thornback, Director, UK Tropical Forest Forum
more | e.mail
Research assistance, project support and website maintenance is provided by:
Andrew Hurst - Project Officer
e.mail
This website was designed and created by:
Andrew Williams
e.mail
top
of page
|
|
The project team would very
much like to welcome the participation of researchers and
practitioners especially interested in livelihoods aspects
of wild meat utilisation and its trade.
It
is often the case that innovative and cutting edge research
and field developments remain under-disseminated to policy-makers.
Research findings are often only published
in academic publications not widely read out-with academia,
and field developments are frequently known only to the
particular professional groups concerned. Policy-makers
and implementors are thus very often insufficiently aware
of new developments.
ODI
specialises in disseminating concise and policy relevant
research findings to a very wide range of policy makers
through a range of policy briefing papers.
 We
would like to invite ideas and paper outlines inline with
the project aims and areas
of interest for publication in the ODI
Natural Resource Perspectives Series.
Unfortunately, while there are no funds
currently available to support authors in the preparation
of papers, editorial, publication and dissemination costs
are covered.
Currently several papers are under preparation
and will be forthcoming.
If you would like to join the research
project, please e.mail Dr
David Brown.
|
|
top
of page