Livelihood and collective action in sustainable resource management

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Most poor, rural households in the Andean highlands depend on agriculture, yet they often reside in areas with low agricultural potential and degraded land. Their survival hinges on natural resources, which are frequently overused and depleted due to their poor quality. Government efforts to implement conservation strategies in highland peasant communities have largely failed. This study focuses on the peasant community of San Antonio de Padua in Peru, examining the reasons behind the unsuccessful conservation strategy by exploring livelihood strategies and collective action in communal land management. Findings indicate that locals have limited ability to adapt their livelihoods to include conservation activities. Additionally, the dynamics of collective action are shifting, and local government support is minimal. The current strategy primarily addresses environmental concerns, offering little incentive for community participation. For the strategy to succeed, it must also encompass economic, social, and institutional sustainability dimensions. Optimal implementation approaches include enhancing income from agricultural activities, empowering women, fostering inter-agency cooperation, strengthening community organizational skills, and building human and social capacities for effective participation and collaboration.