The conversion of natural land into agriculture is a key driver explaining the global collapse of biodiversity (IPBES, 2019). While protected areas remain the backbone of conservation efforts, their impact at preventing the loss of natural habitats and protecting biodiversity remains uncertain (e.g., Lindsey et al., 2020). With climate change and biodiversity preservation becoming increasingly urgent global priorities, understanding how to conserve nature while supporting the livelihoods for impoverished populations most affected by conservation efforts remains a critical but understudied question in development economics (Alpizar and Ferraro, 2020).
This study context epitomises these challenges. With 7,800 square meters of natural habitat, the Virunga National Park (VNP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the oldest park in Africa, one of the most biodiverse parks in the world, a UNESCO world heritage site in danger, and home to endangered Mountain Gorillas and carbon rich forests (de Merode and Languy, 2006). However, poverty threatens to undermine preservation efforts, with 5 million people living in its direct vicinity and many farming illegally within the park. We find that young farmers aspire for careers outside of agriculture, but the jobs tend to be in urban centres far from the park. Little is known about the effect of providing access to non-agricultural jobs on conservation efforts.
This research project aims to fill this gap by experimentally testing whether improving access to off-farm employment for farmers affected by conservation efforts around Virunga National Park can improve their job market outcomes and reduce demand for agricultural land.
The study leverages VNP's substantial investments – over $100 million since 2015 – in promoting non-agricultural business development, creating over 1,600 microenterprises connected to VNP's electricity grid.
