This chapter examines the challenges of conservation policing in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Tamil Nadu, India, through the lens of the Capitalocene, a framework that attributes ecological crises to capitalist systems rather than uniform human activity. Drawing on an exploratory case study, the research investigates the impact of an extreme weather event—unprecedented flooding in August 2019, triggered by 911 mm of rainfall—on conservation policing, alongside the effects of neoliberal policies, specifically the outsourcing of anti-poaching watcher (APW) recruitment. A literature review synthesises emotional, organisational, operational, and community-related challenges in conservation policing, revealing a critical gap in addressing climate change-induced extreme weather events. Empirical data from direct observations, interviews with MTR rangers, and document analysis demonstrate how the flooding paralysed patrols, isolated rangers, and exposed inadequate preparedness, while neoliberal outsourcing exacerbated labour precarity, undermining APW morale and conservation efficacy. The study highlights the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, contingency planning, and equitable labour policies to strengthen conservation policing. By advocating for a conservation model that integrates ecological resilience with social justice, this chapter calls for future research to explore adaptive strategies using mixed-methods approaches, ensuring the sustainability of protected areas amidst capitalist-driven climate crises.

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Conservation Policing in the Capitalocene

  • Shankar Prakash Alagesan

摘要

This chapter examines the challenges of conservation policing in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Tamil Nadu, India, through the lens of the Capitalocene, a framework that attributes ecological crises to capitalist systems rather than uniform human activity. Drawing on an exploratory case study, the research investigates the impact of an extreme weather event—unprecedented flooding in August 2019, triggered by 911 mm of rainfall—on conservation policing, alongside the effects of neoliberal policies, specifically the outsourcing of anti-poaching watcher (APW) recruitment. A literature review synthesises emotional, organisational, operational, and community-related challenges in conservation policing, revealing a critical gap in addressing climate change-induced extreme weather events. Empirical data from direct observations, interviews with MTR rangers, and document analysis demonstrate how the flooding paralysed patrols, isolated rangers, and exposed inadequate preparedness, while neoliberal outsourcing exacerbated labour precarity, undermining APW morale and conservation efficacy. The study highlights the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, contingency planning, and equitable labour policies to strengthen conservation policing. By advocating for a conservation model that integrates ecological resilience with social justice, this chapter calls for future research to explore adaptive strategies using mixed-methods approaches, ensuring the sustainability of protected areas amidst capitalist-driven climate crises.