Community-Based Conservation Programmes in South Sudan's National Park: A Five-Year Impact Assessment

Community-based conservation programmes have emerged as a critical strategy for wildlife protection in South Sudan's National Park, addressing challenges of resource scarcity and governance gaps. The research employed ethnographic methods including participant observation, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, and thematic analysis of park management records. Data triangulation was used for robustness validation. A notable trend emerged where community engagement increased from 40% to 75% in the study period, significantly enhancing wildlife protection efforts through local patrols and conservation education programmes. The findings suggest that sustained community involvement is pivotal for effective conservation outcomes, warranting further policy support and investment in capacity-building initiatives. Policy-makers should prioritise equitable resource distribution to communities, alongside strengthening institutional governance structures to ensure long-term sustainability of conservation efforts. Community-based conservation, South Sudan National Park, wildlife protection, community engagement, ethnography