Event Title
Putting the ecology back into political ecology
Description
Some scholars have lamented that the broadening of political ecology has become 'politics without ecology' (Walker, 2005; Bassett & Zimmerer, 2004). However, this paper contributes to the growing literature that integrates the biophysical as an essential component in the analysis of resource conservation and development programs. Consideration of the biophysical characteristics of the various plants that have been included in India's conservation minded medicinal plant ex-situ cultivation program provides a significantly broader and deeper understanding of the differentiated consequences that result from the program's implementation than considering political economic factors alone. This paper compares the two medicinal plants that received the bulk of the subsidies in the cultivation scheme and shows how the biological differences of each plant greatly influenced each species' unique environmental, livelihood and economic impacts. This paper concludes with recommendations to include biophysical factors in the design of resource and conservation development programs
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Political ecology--Management--India
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Political Geographies
Genre/Form
conference proceedings
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
India
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
political ecology, conservation, development, India
Putting the ecology back into political ecology
Some scholars have lamented that the broadening of political ecology has become 'politics without ecology' (Walker, 2005; Bassett & Zimmerer, 2004). However, this paper contributes to the growing literature that integrates the biophysical as an essential component in the analysis of resource conservation and development programs. Consideration of the biophysical characteristics of the various plants that have been included in India's conservation minded medicinal plant ex-situ cultivation program provides a significantly broader and deeper understanding of the differentiated consequences that result from the program's implementation than considering political economic factors alone. This paper compares the two medicinal plants that received the bulk of the subsidies in the cultivation scheme and shows how the biological differences of each plant greatly influenced each species' unique environmental, livelihood and economic impacts. This paper concludes with recommendations to include biophysical factors in the design of resource and conservation development programs