The Interaction between Conservation and Rural Livelihood : A Research Proposal

Introduction             There are two important things that interrelates man to nature and vice-versa. Man uses and exploits the nature for his ends. Man's priority is to gain sufficient energy everyday and the food that he acquired is the product of the raw resources offered by nature. On the other hand, although man exploited the resources available in nature, in turn, it has a responsibility to exercise for the benefit of nature. Hence, there is an existing causal-effect relationship between man and nature. If nature is to be disregarded and unprotected from further exploitation and destruction, definitely man will have no place to live and food to take as a source of energy and power.             Today, after Al Gore's documentary on global warming, the world now is in cooperation with each other to prevent the further depletion and degradation of nature. Due to the carelessness of man to save and protect the nature or environment from its demise, the global society faces a most difficult and challenging problem to solve. Although the problem was already present prior to Al Gore's advocacy, people only awaken in its deep slumber just after the Gore's proclamation about the depletion of environment and the future effect it will bring.             Yet, significant to this event was societies various responses that prevent such degradation of the nature by adopting many environmental measures and conservation practices. Biodiversity and conservation practices of different societies helped preserve the resources of the environment especially animals, plants, and other elements that gradually in extinction.             In relation to this, the study seeks to analyze the interaction between two opposing principles like conservation and rural livelihood. This issue is relevant since it both has an effect to man and nature at large. Background             Wetlands in Cambodia are much more than places of aesthetic beauty or sites for the conservation of wildlife habitat. The are lifeline of the rural economy – essential to the livelihoods of millions of Cambodians, the food security of the most vulnerable members of society, and the prospects for national development. Making progress towards the sustainable management of wetlands demands a systematic, holistic perspective, precisely because wetlands defy boundaries.  They do not lie within the domain of any one agency's management authority; they are both publicly and privately owned; and their extent fluctuates seasonally.             The Chong Khneas Office has established a floating environmental education for school children and communities called GECKO (Greater Environment Chong Khneas Office) Environment Center. Its objective is to facilitate local communities to adopt responsible, productive, and sustainable management of locally accessible natural resources through participatory environmental education programs. The center promotes environmental awareness among local fishing communities and visitors to the Great Lake and houses displays of flora, fauna, and traditional activities of the communities around the Lake Tonle Sap. There is a strong relationship between the people and the natural resources of the Great Lake. The lake is one of the largest freshwater fisheries in Asia and provides the basis of life to the local people. The sustainable management of this highly productive ecosystem is necessary to ensure food security and biodiversity conservation in Cambodia.             However, along the promotion of Cambodia to the preservation of ecosystem is the effect it has to the rural livelihood of the people. In such manner, if conservation will be deemed to high, it can eventually cause significant changes to the rural livelihood of the people. On the hand, if the government of Cambodia, and with the help of proper authorities will create a balance and un-comprising pact that will benefit both the livelihood program and the idea of conservation will be highly suggested. Objectives             This study aims of the following: 1.      To analyze the interaction between conservation and rural livelihood. 2.      To underline the role of conservation to the promotion of preserving the nature from degradation. 3.      To present the economic status of inhabitant within the area of the place and, 4.      Assess the effects of conservation to the rural livelihood of the people around the area. Significance of the Study             The significance of the study is to provide a new study regarding the interaction of livelihood and conservation to the lives of the people around the conservatory premises of the area. This in turn will help support the government or authorities' implementation of programs for rural livelihood and sustainability while still accruing promotions on conservation. Moreover, since this paper is a case study this will generally contribute to the development and growth of the rural livelihood of the people around the area of study. Statement of the Problem             The study seeks to answer the following questions: 1.      What is the role of conservation in the ecosystem of Cambodia? 2.      How conservation does affect the livelihood program of Cambodia? 3.      What is the role of natural resources to the livelihood of Cambodians? 4.      How Cambodians perceived the idea of conservation in relation to their rural livelihood development and growth? 5.      How Cambodians perceived the importance of their rural livelihood while still conserving the nature? 6.      How the interaction between conservation and rural livelihood of the people does operate? Methodology             This study will utilize a quantitative approach. In order to bring to light the claim of the paper and prove its assumptions, the use of structured and unstructured survey questionnaire will be employed. Meanwhile, interviews will be held for selected informants. The respondents of the survey will be coming from the people around the area subject and will be selected randomly.             Moreover, literatures and interviews will be gathered primarily to support information regarding conservation. Key informants in both fields, environmental advocates or economists and rural development advocates will be subject for interview.             After gathering sufficient information through survey, interviews and observation, analysis will come after and transcriptions of data gathered.