scholarly journals The Development of Tourism in Protected Areas and the Exploitation of the Natural Environment by Local Communities in Africa and Asia

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-269
Author(s):  
Anna Dudek
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Tourist Industry ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Over Exploitation

Abstract From an economic point of view, protected areas do not bring in high profits, in comparison to other possible ways of land usage. National parks and nature reserves are costly in their creation, as well as in their subsequent upkeep and management. In developing countries, their operation can be the source of many political and economic problems. Usually, local communities neighboring protected areas perceive the existence of a protected zone negatively, although they are often able to avail themselves of park resources in various ways. Besides being given the opportunity to rationally make use of certain park resources, community members may be employed as park attendants, which is a practice that is widespread. A part of the profits obtained from the developing tourist industry may be allocated towards local development programs, e.g. the building of a new hospital or school. Some national parks, while lacking the adequate infrastructure necessary for tourism, grapple with a lack of funds. The lack of earning opportunities in connection with the development of tourism results in the local community’s over-exploitation of park resources. This often manifests itself in an increased incidence of poaching in the protected area.

A Assessment of Management Efficiency in Local Administrative Offices: Case Study Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-351
Author(s):  
Mariola Grzebyk ◽  
Agata Pierścieniak ◽  
Małgorzata Stec
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Management Efficiency

The analysis of management efficiency is an important element in evaluating the functioning of public administration from an economic point of view. In order to achieve greater efficiency of the management process, and thus the quality in public administration, it is important to analyze and evaluate its elements. Modern research usually covers individual elements, parts of the management process. However, the current study proposes a comprehensive approach to this process. The objective of the article is the evaluate levels of management efficiency of local government offices using a single synthetic indicator and also to identify areas that hinder management efficiency. The study applies the institutional analysis methodology, adjusting it to the needs of the article. The article postulates that areas that call for immediate changes in Poland's local government offices should include such areas as strategic and financial management, invigorating economic development, project management and public service offers. Any changes thus introduced in these areas may enhance improvements in management processes, effectiveness and efficiency of activities, the quality of the office's functioning, organizational development, which togethr indirectly affects local development.

scholarly journals Mass tourism in protected areas – underestimated threat? Polish National Parks case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1046-1060
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Widawski ◽  
Zdzisław Jary
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Mass Tourism ◽  
External Threats ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
Table Mountains ◽  
Tourist Flow

Abstract The article considers the tourist traffic as possible to elements of inanimate nature in protected areas. The highest form of protection in Poland - national parks, has been taken into account. The main goal is to diagnose the situation based on the analysis of official documents elaborated by the national park authorities. One of the important elements is to diagnose the threat to nature and indicate ways to neutralize it. At the beginning, the geotouristic potential of these parks was presented, where this type of resources is considered important from the point of view of tourism. The tourist function of the most important attractions in Poland was indicated. In the top ten there are as many as 4 national parks, including Tatrzański which takes first place. The size of tourist traffic in all 23 parks was analyzed. As a result, it was shown that the most popular, where tourist flow is of mass character, include mountain parks with significant geotouristic potential. Next, the current protection plans for them were analyzed: Tatrzański, Karkonoski, Table Mountains and Pieniński, where the annual tourist flow varies between 0.5 million and almost 4 million visitors per year. Threats were assigned to 4 groups: existing internal threats, potential internal threats, existing external threats and potential external threats. In each of the types of threats special attention was paid to those related to inanimate nature. It also indicated the ways in which park managers want to influence the change of negative trends. The basic conclusion was indicated, which boils down to the postulate of a balanced approach to the protection of both types of nature: animate and inanimate. In the case of animate nature, threats and suggestions for improving the situation seem to be much better diagnosed than in the case of inanimate nature.

scholarly journals Moving beyond the illusion of participation in the governance of Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (Tshopo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo)

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 33-54
Author(s):  
Justin Kyale Koy ◽  
Alphonse Maindo Monga Ngonga ◽  
D. Andrew Wardell
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Biosphere Reserves ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Conservation Projects

The participation of local communities in the governance of protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo is challenged by several external and local factors. This article aims to understand the representation of local communities and factors that influence their participation in the governance of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Three principal sources of information (archival records, focus group and semi-structured interviews) were used to collect data. The results indicate a top-down participatory approach. The cumulative failure of several projects in the context of local development has led to different perceptions by local communities of their role in the participative governance of Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Initiatives in participatory management and local development only function during the lifetime of externally-funded projects when initiators are present in the intervention area. The results call into question formal claims made by both conservation projects and the Congolese government regarding the actual participation of local communities in the governance of Biosphere Reserves. Furthermore, although Biosphere Reserves in DRC are recognized as part of the national network of protected areas since 2002, their management is still not aligned to either the Seville Strategy or the statutory framework of the world network of Biosphere Reserves. To achieve this, local development initiatives need to focus on poverty alleviation (through the diversification of income sources, entrepreneurship, farmer training and the creation of employment opportunities) and a better understanding of local practices and cultures in the design of such projects.

scholarly journals Attractiveness of protected areas for geotourism purposes from the perspective of visitors: the example of Babiogórski National Park (Poland)

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 358-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Widawski ◽  
Zdzisław Jary ◽  
Piotr Oleśniewicz ◽  
Piotr Owczarek ◽  
Julita Markiewicz-Patkowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
National Park ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Many

AbstractThis article examines the tourist role of protected areas important for their unanimated nature potential. In Poland the highest form of legal protection is a national park. Babiogórski National Parks is one of 23 national parks in Poland. The aim of this article is to present its tourist attraction based on its geotourist potential considered by tourists who visit this park. At the beginning a brief history of protection of Babia Góra is presented. Based on stock-taking sightseeing method an analysis of the most important tourist attractiveness elements (like infrastructure or tourist values) is done. The focus on the values of unanimated nature is made grouping them into four main categories. As the result of research on infrastructure the most important accommodation units were indicated present at the surroundings of this National Park which is vital for its tourist capacity. For the correct functioning of tourist movement at the protected area the supporting infrastructure is important bearing a lot of functions. The function of channeling of the tourist movement as well as the didactic function are the most important for protection and correct use of geotourist values. Among the many elements of the supporting infrastructure the most important ones are tourist and didactic routes (their course and themes are presented). The most important part of the article is the presentation of the participants of the tourist movement opinions on the Babiogórski National Park tourist attractiveness. A survey was conducted and then analysed on 308 respondents in 2011. They were asked to judge both the quality of infrastructure as well as attraction of geotourist values together with their adaptation to reception by the tourist movement. The results analysis served as a base to appraise the state and perspectives for the geotourism development in Babiogórski National Park from the point of view of the receivers of tourist product i.e. the protected area.

Analysis of the Tourism Activities in the Protected Natural Areas of Vrancea County

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-43
Author(s):  
Andreea Georgiana Stănilă ◽  
Constantin Ionuț Barbu
Keyword(s):  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Sustainability Principles ◽  
Special Protection

Abstract Vrancea County, through its specific physical-geographical region of Romania is replete with natural elements with unique value. The diversity of species and natural habitats, the high density of large carnivores are the main reasons that led to the establishment of protected natural areas. As regards the Natura 2000 European network, in the county were declared a number of 11 Sites of Community Importance and Sites of Special Protection 3 as a reconfirmation of the value of biodiversity. These have given rise to some touristic activities becoming tourist attraction places for nature lovers. The presence of tourists in a protected area can threaten the environment, but if tourism is managed according to sustainability principles can bring a number of benefits to both the environment and local communities. From this point of view, Vrancea stays at tourist underdevelopment, so economical, due to poor promotion nationally and underinvestment. Thanks to the initiative of associations and relevant organizations were implemented European sustainable development programs that have had a real impact on protected areas in Vrancea County. The results obtained have resulted in actions for biodiversity conservation, tourism planning of the territory and contribute to increased quality of life for local communities. These projects are proof that this region of the country presents all the strengths to develop ecotourism plan.

Biogeography of Chilean herpetofauna: distributional patterns of species richness and endemism

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Soto ◽  
Marcela Vidal ◽  
Alberto Veloso
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
South Central ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Areas Of Endemism ◽  
High Species Richness

AbstractWe analyze the geographic distribution pattern of Chilean amphibian and reptile species between 18°20′S (Arica) to 56°S (Magellanic Area) by the identification of centers of higher richness and endemism and we infer the biological processes that could have promoted these patterns from a biogeographic point of view, comparing our results with the present location of National Parks found in the National System of State Wildlife Protected Areas. Our results provide evidence that richness and endemism shows clear latitudinal trends along Chile, with highest values at mid-latitudes (31°S to 44°S). Five areas of endemism for phenetic analysis and six for PAE (Parsimony analysis of endemism) were found that agree with bioclimatic boundaries. We suggest that the richness and endemism patterns registered for Chilean herpetological taxa may be explained by an historical mechanism, in accordance with previous biogeographical proposals. To improve the conservation efforts for amphibians and reptiles we suggest inclusion of new protected areas at the regional level for the Mediterranean region of south-central Chile and for local northern and southern quadrats with high species richness and endemism.

scholarly journals Community Perceptions of Tourism Impacts on Coastal Protected Areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Tourism Impacts ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
Over Exploitation

The Dominican Republic is one of the countries with the highest growing number of tourists in coastal protected areas. The objective of this study was to examine the perceived impact of tourism on three coastal national parks, involving all the sectors related to these protected areas and tourism. Workshops were carried out in the coastal protected areas studied. The results revealed the poor integration of local communities in the management plans, the lack of information on protected areas, and the poverty of the majority of the resident families despite income of tourism. The findings of this study highlighted the concept of a carrying capacity or threshold for tourism development. Lower to moderate levels of tourism development appeared beneficial, but as tourism development increased, perceptions of the community worsened. The results also confirmed that tourism contributes to environmental degradation, mainly due to contamination of rivers and coastlines, accumulation of waste, and over-exploitation of natural resources. A series of strategies is proposed to minimize this impact.

scholarly journals Co-management of protected areas: a property rights point of view

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-49
Author(s):  
Van Ngoc Truc Phuong
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Wide Range

Co-management is an increasinglyused tool in natural resource management around the world, in situations where the protection of natural resources has to ensure the livelihoods of local people who have traditionally relied upon these resources. It is a mechanism of sharing power in decision-making and sharing the benefits of natural resources between stakeholders (usually governments and local communities). In Vietnam, several governmental pilot projects on comanagement of PAs were launched over the past decade, with the purpose of eventually scaling up as a national policy. Nationwide, co-management initiatives have been implemented for protected areas (PAs). Therefore, a full assessment of the PAs co-management paradigm is needed. This paper aims to increase the understaing of the ''state-of-the-art" of the management that exist within PAs and to direct attention to the issues associated with property rights in conservation. It assesses the comanagement of PAs in terms of concepts, practices and implications that relate to indigenous peoples and community land and resource rights. The paper begins with a theoretical discussion about comanagement of PAs and property rights. Next, it analyzes a wide range of biodiversity-rich countries that have different time schedules for applying comanagement in PAs. The analysis also focusses on various types of PAs such as forests, game reserves, pastureland reserves, marine PAs, etc. It then encompasses experienced cases of community based forest management in Vietnam that may be applicable to co-managed PAs. This paper reveals that co-management could be an effective tool for PAs management as long as the property rights of local communities and their members are defined clearly and satisfactorily. Among them, land ownership/land-use rights have the most influence on the nature of the co-management agreements. The co-management of PAs officially acknowledges the rights of locals who live in and around forests, to enter, use and manage PAs. These management rights of communities are collective rights rather than individual rights, while ultimately management rights belong to governments. Governments retain the rights to control forest resources; to make decisions about forest products with high value; and to approve policies related to the PA management plan, exploitation license, development of forest management guidelines. In conclusion, governments usually do not empower local communities regarding their exclusion and alienation rights.

The social role of protected areas in the new South Africa

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Wells
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Area Network

SummarySouth Africa contains an extensive, well-managed protected area network which generates considerable economic benefits from tourism, but the extensive land and financial resources required by the parks and reserves are difficult to reconcile with the acute social and economic development needs of poor rural people with very limited access to any kind of resources. Local communities have incurred substantial costs from the establishment of these parks while receiving few benefits in return. National and provincial governments, as well as the conservation authorities, have now recognized that the long-term future of parks and reserves depends on taking effective steps to redress the local imbalance of benefits and costs. Integrated conservation-development projects (ICDPs) are beginning to test a range of specific measures to increase local community participation in the benefits from protected areas. Parks have considerable resources and expertise which they can use to support local development through ICDPs, although it would be unrealistic to expect parks to solve widespread rural poverty amongst their neighbours. Instead, park authorities should take the lead in forming partnerships to mobilize the combined resources and expertise of other national and provincial government agencies, NGOs and the private sector, as well as the local communities themselves. Community participation in wildlife tourism may best be achievable through joint ventures with the private sector or park management authorities.

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