Community Resilience And Wildlife Conservation In Buffer Zones In Nepal: Exploring Handmade Papermaking As Sustainable Economic Solution For Their Coexistence.
Open Access
- Author:
- Burlakoti, Dibyajoti
- Graduate Program:
- Education, Development, and Community Engagement
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- November 06, 2024
- Committee Members:
- Mark A Brennan, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Maria Theresa Spencer, Committee Member
Anil Kumar Chaudhary, Professor in Charge/Director of Graduate Studies
Mark A Gagnon, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Buffer zone
Human-Wildlife conflict
Sustainable entrepreneurship
Handmade paper manufacturing. - Abstract:
- This research studies the connections between community resilience and wildlife protection in buffer zones surrounding Chitwan National Park in Nepal, focusing on handmade papermaking's potential as a sustainable economic solution. Buffer zones, which serve as transitory areas between protected wildlife habitats and human settlements, are frequently the site of human-wildlife conflicts, resulting in economic loss and environmental damage. This study investigates whether manufacturing handmade paper from rhino dung and banana fiber is a viable solution to these disputes by providing alternative livelihoods and encouraging conservation efforts. The study takes a case study approach and employs qualitative methodologies such as auto-ethnography, direct observations, and interviews with local populations. The thesis examines a specific kind of sustainable entrepreneurship and how it helps communities become more resilient, addresses economic deficits, and supports wildlife conservation through sustainable business models and circular economy concepts. The study emphasizes the necessity of integrating economic growth with conservation aims by transforming waste materials into commercial products, minimizing the local community's reliance on resource-intensive practices that can contribute to human-wildlife conflicts. The results indicate that handmade papermaking has the potential to create jobs, empower marginalized populations, especially women, and minimize environmental waste, all while promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for scaling up this business model and duplicating it in other buffer zones to promote sustainable development and conservation goals.