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ABSTRACT
This paper examines how the discursive politics of conservation, shaped within an elite global tourism political economy, directly influences the tactics of community groups, government officials and foreign tourism companies, and reproduces the meaning of conservation and rights in places like Tanzania. I examine how a recent online campaign to “save the Serengeti” builds on persistent elitist discourses of westerners saving African wildlife while also saving Africans from themselves. This discourse continues to shape struggles over land for tourism and local livelihoods.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes on contributor
Benjamin Gardner is Associate Professor of Global Studies, Environmental Studies and Cultural Studies in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington Bothell, and Chair of the African Studies Program at the University of Washington's Jackson School. His research examines the cultural-political relationships among tourism, conservation and development.
Notes
1. http://www.savetheserengeti.org/about-us/, viewed on 1 September 2015.
2. She is referring to the petition started by Serengeti Watch, “Highway Development Threatens Serengeti” http://www.savetheserengeti.org/issues/highway/stop-the-serengeti-highway/ viewed on 1 September 2015.
3. About Serengeti Watch http://www.savetheserengeti.org/about-us/ viewed on 1 September 2015.
4. This quote is from a letter circulated by the PWC after Thomson’s Safaris posted an article on its blog http://thomsonsafaris.wordpress.com/ indicating that the organizations shared a common goal and were working collaboratively for development in the area. It should be noted that PWC is one of the NGOs that Thomson Safaris has specifically targeted as organizing community opposition to their investment.