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From coca to butterflies: Managing Natural Resources for Post-Conflict Peacebuilding. A Case Study of Otanche Community, Colombia.

Mosulishvili, Ani LU (2016) MIDM19 20161
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Department of Human Geography
Abstract
Inspired by environmental peacebuilding literature, this research explores the peacebuilding potential of natural resources through a qualitative case study of a conflict-affected community’s transition of livelihood strategies from coca cultivation to butterfly farming. The fieldwork was carried out with peasant families in rural Otanche - a biodiversity-rich area that, besides the Colombian conflict, has been affected by illegal logging, illicit crops, and violence associated with emerald mining. Based primarily on in-depth interviews and participant observation, the research examines the impact of natural resource exploitation on the community’s livelihoods; sheds light on the influencing factors of the livelihood strategy transition;... (More)
Inspired by environmental peacebuilding literature, this research explores the peacebuilding potential of natural resources through a qualitative case study of a conflict-affected community’s transition of livelihood strategies from coca cultivation to butterfly farming. The fieldwork was carried out with peasant families in rural Otanche - a biodiversity-rich area that, besides the Colombian conflict, has been affected by illegal logging, illicit crops, and violence associated with emerald mining. Based primarily on in-depth interviews and participant observation, the research examines the impact of natural resource exploitation on the community’s livelihoods; sheds light on the influencing factors of the livelihood strategy transition; and explores how the current ways of natural resource management create synergies for peacebuilding. The main findings reveal, that in contrast to the destructive effects of eroded social capital on the environment during coca cultivation, sustainable butterfly farming contributes to the establishment of sustainable livelihoods for Otanche community. Moreover, it enhances social capital through the encouragement of cooperation, reciprocity and exchange; formation of relations of trust, and shared social identity. Social capital in turn improves natural resource management through increased ecological literacy, enhanced on-farm agrobiodiversity and reforestation activities that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the resource base. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mosulishvili, Ani LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20161
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
peacebuilding, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, social capital, post-conflict, Colombia.
language
English
id
8889593
date added to LUP
2016-11-10 14:01:36
date last changed
2016-11-10 14:01:36
@misc{8889593,
  abstract     = {{Inspired by environmental peacebuilding literature, this research explores the peacebuilding potential of natural resources through a qualitative case study of a conflict-affected community’s transition of livelihood strategies from coca cultivation to butterfly farming. The fieldwork was carried out with peasant families in rural Otanche - a biodiversity-rich area that, besides the Colombian conflict, has been affected by illegal logging, illicit crops, and violence associated with emerald mining. Based primarily on in-depth interviews and participant observation, the research examines the impact of natural resource exploitation on the community’s livelihoods; sheds light on the influencing factors of the livelihood strategy transition; and explores how the current ways of natural resource management create synergies for peacebuilding. The main findings reveal, that in contrast to the destructive effects of eroded social capital on the environment during coca cultivation, sustainable butterfly farming contributes to the establishment of sustainable livelihoods for Otanche community. Moreover, it enhances social capital through the encouragement of cooperation, reciprocity and exchange; formation of relations of trust, and shared social identity. Social capital in turn improves natural resource management through increased ecological literacy, enhanced on-farm agrobiodiversity and reforestation activities that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the resource base.}},
  author       = {{Mosulishvili, Ani}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From coca to butterflies: Managing Natural Resources for Post-Conflict Peacebuilding. A Case Study of Otanche Community, Colombia.}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}