Engaging local communities in conservation and governance of the World Heritage in a transnational context: An example from the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (Lesotho/South Africa)

Local communities and indigenous peoples play a pivotal role as custodians of World Heritage sites, yet their engagement in conservation and governance remains underexplored. This study highlights the strategic importance of involving these groups in the stewardship of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing equitable benefit-sharing as a key objective of the World Heritage Convention's 5th 'C' (Communities). Using the Maloti-Drakensberg Park—a transnational site spanning Lesotho and South Africa—as a case study, the research examines how community engagement can enhance conservation efforts while ensuring sustainable development. The approach combines qualitative analysis with participatory methods to assess governance structures, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in transnational contexts.

Loza, J. (2023). Engaging local communities in conservation and governance of the World Heritage in a transnational context: An example from the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (Lesotho/South Africa). Managing Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa, 47–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80910-2_5