Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) as a Tool for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development: A Case Study on the Simien Mountains National Park

Mulugeta, Asteray (2011) Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) as a Tool for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development: A Case Study on the Simien Mountains National Park. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Community based ecotourism (CBET) has become the most important tool of biodiversity conservation in protected areas because of its nature to keep balance between community and the environment (Kiss, 2004). The purpose of this study is to assess how CBET is used as a tool for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in SMNP. The study is descriptive in its design and employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Interview, questionnaire and checklist were the main data gathering tools. Interview was undertaken with experts and officials from different governmental and nongovernmental structures responsible for the park. Key informants’ interview was taken with five local community representatives. Through cluster sampling technique, 150 questionnaires were distributed to local communities in the three campsites of the park namely; Sankaber, Geech and Chenek out of which 120 are returned and analyzed. Frequency, percentage, average mean, ANOVA and independent t-test are used to analyze quantitative data. Accordingly, findings demonstrated that CBET in SMNP is an effective, efficient and sustainable compared with alternative approaches of conserving biodiversity. This is because of the reality that local communities are preserving the park better than the earlier periods due to economic reward from tourism. Local communities’ awareness level on biodiversity of the park and its conservation has increased considerably. However, a significant difference is recognized among major means of livelihoods dependence. Capacity building programs has been given by government and NGOs to increase community participation in tourism and help contribute biodiversity conservation. The economic significance of tourism to the park and community is increasing significantly from year to year. But the income from tourism and numbers of population are not matching. Although it is increasing, the average annual income from tourism per participant is very low. Hence, tourism is not considered as a major means of livelihood. Moreover, 100 percent of the revenue generated from the park is directly going to the federal government. Finally, good benefit sharing mechanism that can satisfy involved parties in the park is recommended. Moreover, CBET in the park should be designed as part of a broader strategy for sustainable economic development to the community.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Tim Khabala
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2018 12:37
Last Modified: 28 Aug 2018 12:37
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8460

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