The Role of Participatory Methods of Analysis for Conflict Resolution at the Human-Wildlife Interface: Deforestation and Encroachment in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria

The study investigates how the change in participatory thinking towards rural development has led to changes in the practical management of protected areas. It looks at the change from the classical 'top- down' approach of 'protective' conservation science to the current paradigm of 'bottom-up' people oriented approaches to managing protected areas. Whilst it is agreed that protected areas are vital for the preservation of biodiversity, there needs to be a shift from protection 'from people' to protection 'for people'. The thesis shows how participatory methods can work at the human-wildlife interface to resolve conflicts between the farmers, pastoralists, Park Authorities, and 'other interested parties' in the case of deforestation and encroachment in Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) in Nigeria.