International Cooperation in Wildlife Conservation : A Review of Multilateral Agreements Relating to Establishment and Management of Protected Areas

The ecological and economic significance of protected areas cannot be controverted. Also indisputable is the fact that to establish and successfully manage protected areas, international cooperation is indispensable for most jurisdictions. This is because such a task entails colossal financial resources, technical expertise and the enactment of cross-border legal frameworks to manage migratory species, where appropriate. However, the huge financial costs might be an impediment for most developing countries. Most development countries cannot afford budgetary allocations to sufficiently conserve wild places, without over-stretching or abandoning other competing development priorities such as provision of heath services to the rural populations and building of classrooms to meet the demands of population growth. This article reviews some multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) that enhance international cooperation in nature conservation. One of the article's key findings is that MEAs are invaluable conservation tools. They regulate anthropogenic activities and establish some incentive schemes, while at the same time uphold the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources