Rebuilding the Local Landscape: Environmental Management in Burkina Faso [Hardcover]

Chris Howorth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999 | ISBN-10: 1840148462 | ISBN-13: 978-1840148466

This text examines an area that suffered widespread immigration following a Sahelian drought. It uses geographical and anthropological methods to analyse the land use change and local resource management, showing how the local communities have developed resource use patterns to safeguard both environment and livelihood. The author disputes the view held by development experts that the resettlement would cause further environmental degradation and proves that with innovative and co-operative local management, sustainability can be achieved in even the most fragile of landscapes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 172 pages
• Publisher: Ashgate Pub Ltd (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840148462
• ISBN-13: 978-1840148466
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,192,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Burkina Faso - Environmental Management, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rebuilding the Local Landscape: Environmental Management in Burkina Faso (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent example of applied environmental management theory. The author bases his theoretical conclusions on an in-depth study of three comparative villages in southern Burkina Faso. It is a prime example to students of geography and environmental management how to carry out fieldwork for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The book presents the case that indigenous knowledge systems and a constantly evolving communal management system regulates and improves environmental management and therefore, food production. Three ethnic groups are presented: the Nuni (indigenous sedentary farmers), the Mossi (immigrant sedentary farmers) and the Fulani (immigrant cattle herders), and these are examined from an anthropological viewpoint. The author then goes on to explain, in spite of nightmare scenarios from international development organisations, these ethnic groups come together to form new customary law arrangements which optimise environmental management. This is shown through detailed case study material, anthropological and participatory appraisal and village time sequence mapping. The author concludes the study with a strong last chapter on the knowledge gaps between western professionals and African farmers and the problems this causes in development in general.