Exploring the Influence of Protected Areas on Water Crises in the Global South: A Balancing Act

With the expansion of protected areas worldwide, and especially in the Global South, conservation efforts often coincide with areas where rural inhabitants live and depend on local natural resources for their livelihood security. Amidst the increasing effects of climate change, water scarcity is becoming more severe in emerging regions with large rural populations and seasonal dryness in the Global South. This has led to debates regarding whether conservation measures should limit local water usage to conserve supplies that benefit the broader national interests. This chapter examines the intricate trade-offs involved in achieving a balance between ecological sustainability objectives and the concepts of water fairness and justice for economically and politically marginalized communities affected by exclusionary preservation systems. The current understanding is that safeguarded tropical watersheds play a crucial role in providing essential hydrological services. However, it is also linked with imposing limitations on traditional usage, which might undermine well-established community access agreements. Emerging governance innovations that prioritize participative indigenous-managed models provide opportunities to combine access and sustainability. To achieve water justice, it is necessary to evaluate how the costs and benefits of conservation are distributed among social groups who are marginalized based on factors such as class, ethnicity, gender, or livelihood. By implementing conscientious and well-coordinated strategies that prioritize the rights of local populations while also being adaptable in environmental policy-making, it is possible to maintain valuable natural landscapes and ensure the prosperity of rural areas, even in the face of uncertain climate conditions.