Due to the several human action, there has been lost of several ecosystem, biodiversity loss and the occurrence of climate change in several part of the world which has brought about the need for ecosystems restoration in global effort, yet social issues can be a setback in achieving ecosystem restoration goals.
How can social issues affect restoration project?
While some land can be an ancestral lineage, or cultural practices center to the local people, it can also be a point of attraction with the international body for restoration and conservation of biodiversity, this can lead to conflicts as a social issue which needs agreement and can be dragged for a longer period thus causing a hindrance or delay in restoration projects
The livelihood of the local people is always linked to their landscape. Not recognizing the local people landscape for their livelihood or providing alternative source of livelihood for economic sustainability during restoration project can lead to another social issues.
Adaramoye mentioned his MOU drafting with a fishing community which has been in existence for over 100years and depend on their landscape for farming activities and livelihood, but this area has been classified as a high conservation area which has a level of species diversity with unique ecosystem. He added that, they had to give the community large hectares of land for the community to farm while some areas are been conserve and they can only fish in a sustainable manner. The community is given a sense of ownership in the land due to the engagement they had with the community thus reducing social issues.
How can social issues be managed?
While stakeholders cut across several organizations, company, youth, local people, among others, it is important to build synergies and agree on what to be done. According to Adaramoye Israel, “ecosystem restoration cannot be achieved in isolation” it is important to identify every stakeholder to build synergies and agree on what to be done without having priority among stakeholders or seeking for benefits. He added.
Involvement of stakeholders can be a way forward but sometimes conflicts may arise among stakeholders. Major approach such as consultation and sensitization will be a way to manage conflicts issues among stakeholders during restoration projects
Another thing is building trust and assurance, to overcome inferiority complex among the local people to gain their trust and commitments and give them sense of belonging for the implementation of ecosystem restoration projects.
Does funding play a role in ecosystem restoration?
Restoration plans without funding can be a paper or talk alone. Adaramoye feels that government in particular sub-Sahara Africa do not feel committed but are quick in terms of signing bilateral commitment in international platforms without follow up action which is a business-as-usual approach in ecosystem restoration. He added that adaptive approach, management approach and monitoring approach should be championed by the government because they hold the law which has a huge impact in building synergy for unity of purpose, and achieving a successful ecosystem restoration projects.
Learn more on Social Issues in Ecosystem Restoration from Adaramoye Isreal Opeyemi Green Talk
(66) EdenWorld Green Talk – Social Issues in Ecosystem Restoration – YouTube
Author
Abisoye Temitope Rebecca