Human-wildlife interactions,nature-based tourism,and protected areas management: The case of Mole National Park and the adjacent communities in Ghana.
详细信息
文摘
Protected areas are increasingly becoming islands of habitat surrounded by seas of cultivation and development. Mole National Park,Ghanas premier park,has an emerging nature-based tourism that is not large when compared to park tourism in other African countries. The park attracts many tourists seeking to observe charismatic wildlife such as elephants. However,many of the species that are attractive to tourists can create problems for adjacent communities. The overarching focus of this study was on how human-wildlife interactions impact on nature-based tourism in order to inform tourism development in Mole National Park and in nearby communities. The study was designed to address the following research questions: 1) How do human-wildlife interactions impact on nature-based tourism in Mole National Park and in nearby communities? 2) How do adjacent communities perceive the concerns and benefits of living near Mole National Park,and what factors explain the differences in perception of these concerns and benefits? and 3) How do park-adjacent communities perceive wildlife impact,and how are the perceptions of wildlife shaped by culture,involvement in a community conservation area,and a communitys distance from the park? A variety of research instruments such as key informant interviews,focus groups,field observations,and surveys were used to gather data from tourists and the diverse range of communities that surround Mole National Park. The study revealed high levels of tourist satisfaction with fundamental attractions such as wildlife and the environment. However,managerial deficiencies were noted in terms of infrastructure and services. CREMA a variant of community-based natural iv resource management) influence communities to have positive attitude towards the park and tolerate wildlife because of the benefits they gain or perceive they will potentially gain. Communities closer to the park although have concerns,rated benefits higher than communities farther away from the park. Cultural valuation of animals also influence peoples interactions with wildlife. For example,taboo and totemic animals are revered and tolerated,not killed or eaten,although the same species may be considered problematic in other communities. Park ranger patrols,protecting water bodies,and livestock pens were rated as effective enhancement and mitigation measures of humanwildlife interactions. Properly developed nature-based tourism in and around PAs can serve both conservation and development outcomes. However,the success of PAs as a conservation strategy depends to some extent on the support of the nearby communities. Park-adjacent communities valuation of wildlife and the perception of concerns and benefits are important in the conservation process. Therefore,efforts should be made to ensure that concerns do not outweigh the benefits of living near PAs. Also tourism development in PAs should benefit nearby communities to offset the negative impacts of PAs on adjacent communities.