Conservation NGOs, Surveillance Technology and Anti-Poaching in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

Keywords: NGOs, Surveillance Technology, EarthRanger, Murchison Falls National Park
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 49

Abstract

This paper examines how Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are transforming the conservation law enforcement landscape in Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) especially through digital tracking and surveillance technology. Specifically, I discuss the Joint Operations Command Centre, a facility built and equipped by a conservation NGO and where EarthRanger is used for twenty four hour park surveillance, as well coordination of the different law enforcement units - intelligence, operations and investigations. I then proceed to discuss the politics of conservation NGOs in MFNP as they try to navigate a competitive world and in the process introducing new and competing technologies. I argue that the literature on the use of surveillance technology in conservation has not adequately engaged how power relations and NGO politics impact on the way conservation spaces are managed. I propose that the shift from SMART to EarthRanger technology in MFNP presents a contemporary case study that can help us question the dominant view of conservation NGOs as ‘forces for good’. Because surveillance goes hand-in-hand with deploying rapid response units/quick reaction forces, raids, ambushes that all impact on local communities in different ways, the paper adds insights to discussions around militarised conservation and also contributes to debates on complex power relations and conservation NGO politics. The paper concludes by examining what these evolving trends and technologies mean for law enforcement rangers. Data is collected through interviews and observation for example going on patrol with rangers.