Resource utilisation in the national parks of the Canadian Arctic

• Main Author: Crosbie, P. Kim
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cambridge 1992
• Subjects: Arctic; Canada
• Online Access: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/276149; https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.23430

The national parks of northern Canada provide a useful reflection of the evolving attitude towards conservation of a fragile ecosystem, in a situation complicated by a background of political, social and economic transition. This thesis examines how this transition, in particular that of land claim settlements, has affected the role and function of northern national parks. Through examining the evolution and general principles behind conservation, particularly that of protected areas, an analysis is made of the different uses and perceptions of the northern national parks. The conflicts that can arise from these different uses, primarily between native hunting and trapping, tourism and potential industrial development, is examined. Consideration is also given to the different perceptions of the role and function of northern national parks which stem from a multicultural society. In conclusion three issues which are posed in Chapter 1, namely: is there still a place and use for national parks in northern ·Canada; have the aims and objectives altered from those voiced initially; and with the changing political circumstances in northern Canada, what are the future prospects for national parks, are discussed. The main purpose of this thesis is to assess to what extent the national parks in the north fulfil the Canadian Parks Service objective "to protect for all time . this natural heritage so as to leave it unimpaired for future generations".