Trapped in nature: discourses on humanity in processes of environmental naturalization

Discourses on humanity play a pivotal role in legitimizing or delegitimizing the roles of local communities within protected areas, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study reveals that the naturalization process of protected areas involves redefining both the environment and its inhabitants, significantly impacting access to resources and power dynamics. Through a comparative ethnographic analysis of El Manu National Park (Peru) and the Galapagos National Park (Ecuador), researchers found that proximity or distance attributed to humans in relation to nature determines their perceived legitimacy within these spaces. The findings underscore how discursive constructions shape social hierarchies and environmental governance, offering critical insights into the complexities of managing protected areas.

Ruiz-Ballesteros, E., & Valcuende del Río, J. (2019). Trapped in nature: discourses on humanity in processes of environmental naturalization. Journal of Political Ecology, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.2458/v26i1.23244