| dc.identifier |
Fyumagwa, R., Hassan, S., Kideghesho, J.R., Kohi, E.M., Magige, F., Mfunda, I.M., Mwakatobe, A., Ntalwila, J., Nyahongo, J.W., Runyoro, V. and Røskaft, E., 2015. Human rights and conservation of biodiversity considerations associated with roads in the Serengeti: response to Hopcraft et al. Conservation Biology, 29(3), pp.937-938. |
|
| dc.description |
We are pleased that Hopcraft et al. (2015) responded to
our article (Fyumagwa et al. 2013) “Roads as a Threat
to the Serengeti Ecosystem.” Many of the authors of this
response are senior scientists and conservationists who
have worked in the Serengeti ecosystem for decades and
have made substantial contributions to ecology and conservation.
We therefore take their criticisms seriously.
The Serengeti ecosystem contains 2 world heritage sites;
thus, international input into developing the region in a
sustainable way is welcome.
We believe, as do others (e.g., Kareiva 2014), that
conservation efforts should consider the livelihoods of
people inhabiting an area, independent of the size and
density of the human population. Addressing the needs
of human communities is consistent with the Convention
on Biological Diversity (1992) and the 5th World Parks
Congress (2003), which link conservation with human
development and poverty reduction (Christ et al. 2003;
Eagles 2014). In Fyumagwa et al. (2013), our primary focus
is sustainable conservation and human development
in the Serengeti ecosystem. We also consider the cost of
road construction and the indirect consequences likely to
have the greatest effects on nature. In contrast, Hopcraft
et al. focus on how to connect the eastern and western
towns in northern Tanzania. We believe a holistic view of
the situation is needed and invite all parties to collaborate
§§Address correspondence to E. Røskaft, email roskaft@bio.ntnu.n |
|