Assignment 2: Video Response

Submitted by: Amanjot Kaur

Clayoquot Sound and Redberry lake were designated as biosphere reserve as a result of intensive
efforts of select group of people within in their communal level who developed links at governance
level1. These two Biosphere reserves are different in terms of ecosystem, economy and cultural
diversity which strengthened the differential impact of local individual and groups within each
area which improved present and emerging governance system1 but it is perilous to ensure
adaptations is fostered while maintaining accountability and legitimacy, especially in legal and
regulatory mechanism2.

In case of Clayoquot Sound, prior the European arrival governance structure was very
sophisticated, such as for territory there was head chief who was responsible for all decisions
regarding the management of entire territory. But with the introduction of Indian act various
changes occurred in governance system, and under this act First nation people were incarcerated
for fishing and collection of firewood outside of reserve boundaries and the federal and provincial
government took over lands which were not properly ceded. And, by time lead to adoption of
industrial system of resource use. This huge change resulted in logging at devasting rate and ‘War
in the Wood’ emerged which enforced the government to declare Clayoquot Sound as a Biosphere
Reserve3. And, Clayoquot Sound got attention internationally which resulted in establishment of
interest of various actors in this region and they started approaching the government. For instance,
Ucluelet people approached the government to frame new guidelines by demanding inclusion in
Biosphere Reserve1. With proceeding time, government realized traditional and government-led
tactics cannot produce conservation productivities due to complex nature of conservation problems
which is beyond the ability of single actor to resolve the issues and overturned the governance
structure into Hybrid governance system2. Conservation outcomes produced by Hybrid forms of
governance can be effective and promising. In contrast, at Redberry Lake government interest was
lacking, neither the provincial government nor the federal government showed up participation in
any project . First nation people do not attend the meetings held by Biosphere Reserve Committee
which may be due to difference in educational background in both committee and show no active
involvement in decision making and planning in Biosphere reserve1.
Overturn in governance structure in both regions resulted in involvement of various actors in both
regions. In case of Clayoquot Sound, First nation people, forestry industry, environmental non-

1
Maureen G. Reed, Uneven Environmental Management: A Canadian Perspective(2006), DOI 10.1007/s00267-005-0159-5.

2Derek Armitage, Rob de Loe , & Ryan Plummer, Environmental governance and its implications for conservation practice(2012), doi:
10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00238.x.

3
Striking Balance ,Episode 2: Clayoquot Sound(March,2018), https://tvo.org/video/documentaries/striking-balance/ep-2-clayoquot-sound
governmental organisations, scientific panel and government work collaboratively for
conservation of region3. More importantly, aboriginal people hold the right to actively participate
in decision making regarding land use planning, its management and initiatives. By hand, ENGOs
work to involve public participation and government works develop initiative to merge the
traditional and scientific knowledge in decision making process3. But, in Redberry lake
participation of actors is limited. There are few nongovernmental organisations and private
environmental institutions that works in conservation projects of this region4. There are some
Ranch and farmers groups, students and others which makes efforts to get conservation
productivities. This region suffers the ignorance of government as well as broad number of
ENGOs4. First nation people and governmental organisations have lack of trust due lack of
communication by first nation people and lack of interest of government sector in region projects
often create challenging situations.
Involvement of various actors in Clayoquot Sound mislead people that the region is saved, which
is not correct. In reality, first nation people face off great challenge to restore the local streams
which are devasted by intensive industrial logging. So, many actors such as non-profit society,
stream keepers and Biosphere trust are working together to restore the area. But, due to networked
models of governance in which various state and non-state actors are involved with dispersed
powers, accountability and legitimacy become less vibrant5. Involvement of various actors can be
effective only when there is strategic links between all actors, partnerships and public initiatives.
Market-steering and sub-optimisation occurs in hybrid governance structure which often makes
system less effective5. Whereby, at Redberry Lake, the members of Biosphere reserve create
normative ideas for conservation but due to lack of coordination it creates tension within the group
and their ideas doesn’t fit well to other organisations which eventually leads to poor performance
of overall system. Above all this, project funding is not sufficient which is result of lack of
participation of provincial and federal government in project.

So, to conclude Hybrid governance structure can be effective way to produce desired conservation
outputs as various actors participate which provides increased legitimacy, effective allocation of
resources, and access to diversity of knowledge and expertise5. Integration of local and scientific
knowledge provides an opportunity to create collaborative solution for conservation of Biosphere
Reserves. Governance researchers also believe that redundancy and overlap in roles of various
actors can be beneficial for effective working of hybrid governance system5. However, when
actors create functional interdependencies and strategic regional planning and management
initiatives; alliances it relatively has huge impact on governance system5.

4
Striking Balance, Episode 6: Redberry lake(April,2018), https://tvo.org/video/documentaries/striking-balance/ep-6-redberry-lake

5
Visseren-Hamakers, I.J., Glasbergen, P., Partnerships in forest governance. Global Environmental Change (2007),
doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.11.003.