Implementing Solomon Islands’ Protected Areas Act: opportunities and challenges for World Heritage conservation

East Rennell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Solomon Islands, faces significant threats from resource development, invasive species, climate change, and over-harvesting. A study by Price (2018) explores how the Solomon Islands' Protected Areas Act of 2010 can be leveraged to mitigate these risks while respecting customary land tenure and local livelihoods. The research argues that integrating legal frameworks with traditional practices is crucial for effective conservation, particularly in managing landowner consent, crafting management plans, and selecting management committees. While the Act offers some protection, its implementation must balance heritage preservation with the improvement of local communities' lives to ensure long-term sustainability.

Price, S. (2018). Implementing Solomon Islands’ Protected Areas Act: opportunities and challenges for World Heritage conservation. Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law, 21(2), 147–170. https://doi.org/10.4337/apjel.2018.02.04