A Local Counter-Narrative on the Conservation of Mountain Gorillas

Abstract

Using social science narrative analysis, we studied how people who live next to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Bwindi INP) in Uganda narrate about their situation. We found a dominant ambivalence narrative, which deviates substantially from win–win and traditionalist narratives, both of which have been produced by external actors about the same case. Each of the two latter narratives is associated with a broader discourse on protected areas in Africa. The ambivalence narrative describes a situation in which villagers are forced to pay a high price for conservation of the habitat of mountain gorillas. Nevertheless, it contains hope for the future associated with economic benefits from the park through tourism. When looking at the findings of ‘realist’ studies of costs, benefits and participation, we conclude the dissatisfaction to be well-grounded. Furthermore, we highlight types of changes that would have to take place if the hope for the future is to be realised. The ambivalence narrative constitutes a counter-narrative to externally produced wisdom.

Keywords:

• narrative
• discourse
• conservation
• protected area
• mountain gorilla
• Uganda

Acknowledgements

This article is one of the outputs from the research project Protected Areas and Poverty in Africa (PAPIA) funded by the Research Council of Norway. Connected to the PAPIA project, D.M. Tumusiime has received PhD funding from the Norwegian State Education Loan Fund, Makerere University and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) has provided a travel grant for field work, and Makerere University has contributed with field logistics. Fred Ahimbisibwe has assisted in the drawing of the map of Figure 1. We appreciate comments on the article from Tor A. Benjaminsen and anonymous referees.