An Important Lesson

Here's an extract from "A View from the Machan" by Ullas Karanth.

This is something that people in this field really ought to understand. And faster, the better. Here goes:

"My experience with volunteer naturalists makes me wary of such clever schemes. Grand plans for 'sustainable use' of nature rarely work unless local people are inspired to care for the wildlife in the first place. Before local people in general can be educated and enthused about saving wildlife, one must build a dedicated cadre of  naturalists and conservationists who can advocate the cause of conservation within the local communities. However, mere passion and care for animals cannot turn into effective conservation advocacy. There is perhaps no tool more powerful than practical field biology to inspire naturalists and nurture them to be effective community leaders for wildlife conservation action."