Determinants of the Biodiversity Conservation-tourism Nexus in the Buffer Zone of Amboseli Biosphere Reserve, Kenya
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Date
2014-02-24
Authors
Mwakima, Margaret Wawuda
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Abstract
Tourism is an important ecocomic sector that generates billions of dollars all
over the world. In Kenya, tourism is an important economic sector,
contributing nearly 12% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The main
resource base of this sector is a rich cultural and biological diversity. Despite
the significance of tourism sector, its contribution to biodiversity conservation
is not well understood, yet the two should be planned in an integrated manner.
This study sought to establish the contribution of tourism to biodiversity
conservation in Amboseli Biosphere Reserve. The specific objectives were to
assess the threats to biodiversity conservation, to evaluate the effects of
wildlife displacement by tourism infrastructure, and to determine the opinions
of the local community on the effects of land use change, sustainability of
biodiversity and tourism in the study area.This study was conceptualized on
the premise that biodiversity conservation can be supported through wise
stewardship and management of species and ecosystems. In order to achieve
the research objectives, a stratified random sampling design incorporating both
descriptive and analytical approaches was adopted. Field observations,
interview schedules and questionnaires were used to gather data on
biodiversity management practices, development of tourism infrastructure,
threats to biodiversity and tourism; and opinions of local community about
benefits from tourism and land use change. The results from 447 respondents,
reviews of existing documents and field vists showed that changing land use,
human encroachment, hunting for bush meat and game trophy, human-wildlife
conflict and growing infrastructure development, including fencing were
major threats to biodiversity in the buffer zone of Amboseli Biosphere
Reserve. About 68% of the respondents were concerned that infrastructure
associated with tourism development was displacing wildlife and disrupting
their movement and behaviour. There were also no significant differences in
the opinions of local community regarding the effects of land use change on
biodiversity and tourism in the wildlife buffer zone around the park. A
majority of the responses (83%) of the land owners and tourism related
business owners were of the opinion that sustained favourable economic
returns and effective community involvement in biodiversity conservation and
tourism development were fundamental. This was necessary because the more
attractive economic activities, such as land leasing to external developers and
crop farming in the ranches increased human-wildlife conflict by restricting
their movement to access to water and forage, especially during the dry
season. The socio-demographic trends of local community and the changing
values attached to land and wildlife are likely to influence the future of
biodiversity conservation and tourism in Amboseli Biosphere Reserve. Group
ranch owners and all the stakeholders should form mutually beneficial
partnerships so as to sustain biodiversity conservation, tourism and livelihoods
of the local communities.
Description
Department of Environmental Science, 248p. 2013, G 154.7 .M82