Noble savage or noble state? Northern myths and southern realities in biodiversity conservation

Northern biological preservationists wish to keep biodiversity in untouched natural settings free of any human habitation. They see people who live and work there as threats to be educated and removed if at all possible. To achieve their desires, they trust strong governments to wield the stick to protect biodiversity. They believe in a "noble state." On the other hand, Northern cultural preservationist wish to see exotic peoples preserved as idealized, superior cultures which live in "harmony with nature," untainted by the market economy. They believe in "noble savages." These Northern desires, like Northern desires for economic growth, press Northern projections upon Southern realities. Myths are created by these projections. Where is the reality? (author)