Applying Community Governance for Local Benefit: The Case of the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Abstract

"As an ethnobiologist, what Brunckhort describes in his article is very relevant to what I have been working on. What seems to be prevalent in all areas of development whether landscape development, natural resources management or biodiversity conservation, is a the key issue of true representation of local actors. I strongly agree with Brunckhorst when he states in the lead essay that 'concepts and applications of property and policy are influential drivers within landscapes and regions.' To this I would add, 'how to ensure that the right decisions and policy applications are applied in the right measure for beneficial future outcomes?' This is indeed a difficult task. I will cut through the theoretical framework that has been presented in the article and come straight to the context that applies to my work. The place where I am currently researching, the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, certainly confirms these issues at stake. In this, what I ask myself is what will be the long-term consequences and what kind of impact will ensue from the decisions applied now?"