Leiden University Student Repository

Dietrich, Marlene (2024)

Between Nature Conservation and Land Rights: The Case of the Maasai and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

This paper examines the intrinsic relationship between the Western model of nature conservation and the forced removal of pastoralists, the Maasai, in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The historical background contextualises the origins of so-called fortress conservation in the colonial period and the establishment of protected areas. The research takes a political ecology approach to establish a connection between nature conservation activities of international actors, national policymaking in conservation areas and the impact on the Maasai’s livelihood. The case of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area illustrates the enhancement of securitised nature conservation concerning biodiversity protection of ecosystems. However, this approach excludes indigenous peoples from the discourse of ecosystem protection and is inherently neo-colonial. For a better understanding, it argues for the equal inclusion of indigenous peoples in nature conservation efforts.

Global Political Economy

International Relations

Political Ecology

Africa

Tanzania

Nature Conservation

Colonialism

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Author

Dietrich, Marlene

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Global Political Economy

Supervisors

Henderson, Christian

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en