摘要：Protected areas (PAs) are often conflict-ridden, but conflict resolution mechanisms are oftenconstrained by little appreciation of the perceptions of the principal agents (PA managers andlocal communities) about such conflicts. Getting local people’s support in PA managementefforts is considered important for achieving conservation and livelihood goals. Using datafrom 13 nature reserves in South Africa, this study explores the perceptions of reservemanagers and local communities about their relationships and the existence and underlyingcauses of conflicts. The findings showed sharp contrasts in perceptions between reservemanagers and local communities. Reserve managers generally perceived that there were noconflicts with local communities and that their relationship with them was positive while localcommunities thought otherwise, claiming conflicts were centred around restricted access toPAs, lack of benefits from PAs and communication problems. These findings have profoundimplications for conservation, especially considering the importance of getting local people’ssupport in PA management.
