The Effects of Natural Resource Conservation on the Development of Fringe Communities around the Barekese Catchment Area

The study sought to assess the effects of nature resource conservation on fringe communities in the Barekese conserved area in Ghana. A sample of 82 household heads was randomly selected from four fringe communities and interviewed to gather the needed primary data. Also focused group discussions were held with farmers, fishers, hunters and chain-saw operator groups in the sampled communities. The findings were that the Barekese catchment area conservation project had resulted in the reduction in farmlands of the people living in the fringe communities. It has also brought about some natural resource use conflicts, poverty and the undermining of livelihood opportunities of the fringe communities. It is therefore recommended that alternative livelihood opportunities, especially nonfarm businesses need to be encouraged and supported by the government and other local authorities among the resource fringe communities to minimize the negative effects of conservation. Active involvement of the fringe communities in the decision making process, before, during and after the conservation, could have engendered local ownership and reduced the antagonistic tendencies from the fringe communities. Keywords: natural resource, conservation, fringe communities, Barekes