Enhancing Natural Resources Management and Livelihoods in Zapatera Archipelago National Park, Nicaragua : An Action Research Study with Residents of two Communities in Zapatera Island

Abstract

La isla Zapatera, centro del Parque Nacional del Archipiélago Zapatera en Nicaragua. Allí los conflictos de tierras, la tala, la caza y la pesca ilegales persisten. Estas y otras actividades extractivas son la base de los medios de vida de más de 1000 habitantes de la isla. Usando elementos de la Metodología de sistemas blandos, Investigación-acción y Diagnóstico Rural Participativo, el presente estudio busca responder cómo podría mejorarse el manejo de recursos naturales y medios de vida en la isla de Zapatera. El estudio encontró que existen diferencias considerables entre comunidades, hogares e individuos en términos de acceso a diferentes formas de capital, y que el control del Ministerio de Medio Amebiente ha creado aún más inseguridad en los medios de vida y daños ambientales. Al mismo tiempo, la Investigación-acción y otros procesos iterativos crearon algunos cambios en la situación actual de la isla, al promover la creación e intercambio de conocimiento y el empoderamiento de la comunidad. El estudio identificó los temas más urgentes en gestión de recursos naturales. La tenencia de la tierra se consideró fue el más urgente. El estudio recomienda atacar primero el problema de la pobreza entre las comunidades y aumentar la cooperación en investigación.

Zapatera Island is the second largest island of Lake Cocibolca or Nicaragua and the heart of Zapatera Archipelago National Park in Nicaragua. The park was created in 1983 by the Sandinista Revolutionary Government after the seizure of land from big land owners. Today, land conflicts in the island still persist and illegal logging by mafias are rampant. Illegal hunting, fishing and other nature resource based extractive activities are the base of the livelihoods of more than 1000 inhabitants of the island. Moreover, the plundering of archaeological remains continues, despite the efforts of Nicaraguan authorities to find solutions to the problematic situation in the island. Using elements of Soft Systems Methodology, Action Research, and Participatory Rural Appraisal, the present study seeks an answer for the question: How could natural resource management and livelihoods of people in Zapatera Island be enhanced? The study found that there are considerable differences between communities, households and individuals in terms of access to different forms of capital, and that the control of the Environmental Ministry has created even more livelihood insecurity and environmental damage. At the same time, Action Research and other iterative processes created the conditions that brought some changes to the current state of affairs in the island, by promoting knowledge creation and exchange, and community empowerment. The study also helped different stakeholders to identify issues of concern regarding natural resources management. Among these, land tenure was considered the most urgent issue to be addressed. Finally, the study suggest that natural resources management in Zapatera Island can be improved by addressing the issue of poverty among local communities; and by increasing the cooperation in research between local communities, environmental authorities, practitioners, researchers and donors.