Implications of integrated nature conservation for human reproductive health: a case study from Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

Abstract

This article explores the impact of national parks, established as integrated conservation and development projects (ICDPs), on human reproductive health, using Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar as a case study. A comparative approach, studying the villages within and beyond the park area, was used. Statistical information, semi‐structured key person and focus group interviews, observation, as well as previous literature, were used. The article illustrates how health programmes of the park project attempted to meet local needs, but how cultural and economic issues affected the success of the project. The study concludes that the impact of the ICDP on human reproductive health was modest. However, the human aspects in conservation have to be emphasised in the future.

Notes

Respectively, Researcher, and Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Policy, University of Helsinki; and Research Professor, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland. The authors thank their field research assistants, Andry Rakotoarivao and Chantal Sololiana, as well as MICET and ANGAP personnel in Ranomafana and Antananarivo. They also wish to thank Jari Niemelä, Juhani Koponen and Janice Harper for valuable comments on this article. Finally, the authors want to thank all the villagers, health animators, midwives and doctors who enthusiastically shared their information with the authors. The research was supported financially by the Academy of Finland (projects 02‐530‐001 and 45664).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elina Hemminki 1

Respectively, Researcher, and Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Policy, University of Helsinki; and Research Professor, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Helsinki, Finland. The authors thank their field research assistants, Andry Rakotoarivao and Chantal Sololiana, as well as MICET and ANGAP personnel in Ranomafana and Antananarivo. They also wish to thank Jari Niemelä, Juhani Koponen and Janice Harper for valuable comments on this article. Finally, the authors want to thank all the villagers, health animators, midwives and doctors who enthusiastically shared their information with the authors. The research was supported financially by the Academy of Finland (projects 02‐530‐001 and 45664).