Vicuña Conservation and Poverty Alleviation: Trying to Link the Two Ends of the Social Scale

Abstract

"This paper explores the link between vicuna management and poverty alleviation in Andean countries, and analyses the factors that limit a more equitable distribution of benefits among stakeholders. The study is based on fieldwork carried out in Peru and Argentina, and the analysis of secondary data (including the Proceedings of the Vicuna Convention) for Chile and Bolivia. Results suggest that the establishment of an open international market for the fiber, proper institutional arrangements for resource management, capacity building at local level and the implementation of fair trade schemes would allow for [a] sustainable use plans to be more effective and [b] more equitable distribution of benefits. These should be accompanied by conservation of untouched ecologically functional populations and proper implementation of protected areas to ensure the species conservation."