The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration

The document examines the establishment of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in Southern Africa, highlighting their role in protecting regional public goods and fostering integration. It identifies the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) and SADC as key drivers, while noting significant barriers such as rhino poaching, livestock disease concerns, and sovereignty issues. The study concludes that successful implementation relies on a combination of high-level political leadership and ground-level collaboration among officials and local communities.

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC) aims to establish 18 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) to protect shared environmental assets and coordinate land use across member state borders.
• The Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) transitioned from being the primary driver and initiator of TFCAs to acting as a facilitator and resource organization, shifting its focus toward full community participation rather than relocating residents.
• Rhino poaching poses a significant threat to the Greater Limpopo TFCA, leading to discussions about reintroducing fences because South African law enforcement lacks authority in Mozambique.
• The beef industries in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa oppose TFCAs due to concerns that wildlife acts as a carrier for foot and mouth disease, which threatens domestic cattle.
• Regional integration through TFCAs is more effective where borders transect shared ethnic groups, such as the Zambian–Malawi border, compared to borders with strict controls and no cultural exchange, such as the Swaziland–South Africa border.
• While high-level political leadership is necessary to initiate TFCAs, their success depends on the cooperation of ground-level officials in sectors including veterinary services, law enforcement, border control, and wildlife management.

APA

Bertelsmann-Scott, T. (2013). The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf

Chicago

Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha. The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2013. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bertelsmann-Scott |first1=Talitha |title=The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bertelsmannscott2013impact, author = {Bertelsmann-Scott, Talitha}, title = {{The Impact of Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Regional Integration}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/REV_SAIIA_perisa_pg_CS3_bertelsmann-scott_20131212.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }