ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACTS ON LIVELIHOOD OF ADJACENT COMMUNITIES OF KAINJI LAKE (NIGERIA) AND MOLE (GHANA) NATIONAL PARKS

Abstract

The assessment of ecotourism development and its perceived impact on the livelihood of adjacent communities of Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria and Mole National Park, Ghana was carried out between June 2012 and May 2015 (36 months). The objectives of the study were to; assess major ecotourism resources and activities at the two National Parks, as well as determine the challenges of adjacent communities in achieving their livelihood. Furthermore ecotourism impacts on communities’ livelihoods as well as communities’ level of involvement in ecotourism activities were evaluated. A survey design was employed using Semi- structured household Questionnaires; Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interview and Field Observations. Secondary data from relevant sources were also used to obtain information in the course of this study. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Major findings revealed adequate fauna and flora resources for ecotourism activities at both National Parks. Animals encountered at Kainji Lake include Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), Olive baboon (Papio anubis) and Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious), while at Mole, Elephants (Loxodonta africana), Water bucks (Kobus defassa) and Warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) were encountered. Farming was the predominant livelihood occupation in the communities adjacent to the two Parks with 56.1% respondents at Kainji and 64.6% respondents at Mole. Major livelihood challenges encountered at Kainji Lake communities are destruction of crops by wildlife (65.7%) where wild animals from the Park roam into communities’ farms, insufficient infrastructural development (50.8%) and inadequate credit facilities (48.8%). At Mole communities, livelihood challenges include insufficient infrastructural development (72.3%), reduced land for farming (54.7%) and restriction from Park resource use (51.5%). T- test result shows that there is a significant difference in both the negative (P=0.001) and positive (P=0.000) impacts of ecotourism at both Parks (P ≤ 0.05). The most important benefits expected from the Park, based on the community’s needs at Kainji Lake are portable water (61%), electricity (44.9%) and road construction (44.6%) while at Mole communities the most important expected benefits were employment (58.1%), education (51.3%), and electricity (47.3%). The level of involvement in ecotourism activities was among the communities of both Parks. Communities’ involvement was mainly in the areas of conservation groups (53.8%), petty trading and transportation services (30.8%) at Kainji Lake. Tour guiding (43.3%), cultural displays and entertainment (33.3%) and petty trading (23.3%) were discovered to be prominent areas of involvement at the Mole communities. To create more positive impacts, increased employment especially of the indigenes of adjacent communities into the junior and senior cadre is recommended. More collaboration and different developmental programmes on alternative livelihoods that could adequately meet the needs of the communities should be embarked upon by the park Management. While trainings for local tour guides and interpreters as well as awareness programmes should be carried out to sensitize the local residents on how they will benefit from supporting and being more involved in the ecotourism development at the park.