scholarly journals Ecotourism’s Impact on Ethnic Groups and Households near Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Saroj Kandel ◽  
Kazuhiro Harada ◽  
Sudha Adhikari ◽  
Nabin Kumar Dahal

The Chitwan National Park (CNP) is renowned as a premier attraction in Nepal. This study surveyed the ethnic communities and households living in the buffer zone (BZ) proximate to the CNP, where ecotourism has been strategically introduced to provide an alternative means of livelihood to the locals and to enhance biodiversity conservation. This study examined to what extent these households have economically benefited from local ecotourism activities as well as their perceptions of ecotourism. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, surveying 145 Kumroj and Amaltari village households using a stratified random sampling technique. The findings indicated that similar ecotourism activities were taking place in both sites. We found that only certain households benefited directly, and that it was mostly the socioeconomically disadvantaged households that missed out on the livelihood opportunities provided by ecotourism. Further, it was revealed that the socio-economically disadvantaged locals still illegally extracted/sold forest products. However, such individuals also acknowledged that ecotourism has increased employment, social development, and forest conservation, and they desired to participate in ecotourism activities. This research can help policymakers better understand the gaps in their policies and restructure them to level the ecotourism playing field for all ethnic groups and economic levels (e.g., landowners versus non-landowners). This study recommends that policymakers rethink and reframe policies to protect the interests of communities living in the BZs of national parks, especially low-income households and/or locals who are disadvantaged because they do not have land or facilities to conduct ecotourism activities.

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Anita Pant ◽  
Shivraj Bhata

The study in Ayodhyapuri Village Development Committee in Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park revealed that the main source of energy is fuel wood, most of which is supplied from Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) and Chitwan National Park (37.93%) and partially from private land (2.15%). Agriculture was main source of livelihood among the villagers. Fuel wood consumption per household was found to be 3516.11 kg per year in the study area. Landless and low-income households were found using more fuel wood from BZCF and National Park.  The root problems in the study area are the maximum extraction of fuel wood and fodder from the CF and National Park, and the crop depredation by wildlife. The depredation of the crop by wildlife is one of the major barriers influencing the conservation attitude of local people. The CF is rich in biodiversity as revealed by presence of 36 species of trees, 54 species of shrubs and 66 species of herbs. Shorea robusta is the most dominating species in both trees and shrub strata whereas Imperata cylindrica is the most frequent herbaceous species. Scientific World, Vol. 10, No. 10, July 2012 p47-53 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v10i10.6862


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raju Pokharel ◽  
Jagdish Poudel ◽  
Ram Kumar Adhikari ◽  
Aseem Raj Sharma

<p><em>Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) started with an objective to engage locals and fulfill their resource needs without jeopardizing conservation. This study estimates the forest product demand and supply of fuelwood, fodder, and timber in Bandevi BZCF user group. Data was collected using stratified random sampling and forest inventory using the quadrate method. Results indicated Bandevi BZCF conditions improved since its handover to the community. However, the study estimated a deficit of 26173 cubic meters per year of timber, 3.21 million tonnes per year (Mt/yr) of fodder, and 0.12 Mt/yr of fuelwood. Deficits were fulfilled from agricultural lands outside BZCF and illegal collection from the Bharandavar corridor forest and CNP. BZCF program is a success in improving forest conditions and needs continuation. Policy and programs must focus primarily on livelihood improvement and income generations to reduce the dependency of local people on the forest.</em></p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-108
Author(s):  
Sami Shrestha

Forest of lowlands is heavily impacted by invasive plants species, particularly Mikania micrantha which is also considered as one of the most invasion species. So, it became essential to understand effects of Mikania to user and indigenous vegetation; however the studies were confined to appraising the distribution, effect and utilization of Mikania micrantha on the livelihood of buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park. Vegetation survey, key informant interview, focus group discussion, direct observation and stratification were conducted. GPS points were recorded and the distribution map of Mikania was made by using ArcView GIS 10.1 and has been found throughout the Community Forest. Regression analysis showed that the number of plant regeneration of native tree species decreases by 0.530 unit with every 1 unit increment in Mikania crown cover. The study used a questionnaire survey to 118 households in the CNP of Nepal. The results indicate that the invasion of M. micrantha have negative effects on the community livelihood in the study area. Basic forest products such as fodder and fuel wood have become scarce as a result of reduction in the native plants. Only 6.78% of the users utilize Mikania for household purpose like briquettes fuel, fodder, medicine and manure. The losses of other plant species have severe effect to biodiversity so control measure with utilization should be taken as the most needed action. Regular assessment and monitoring of Mikania effect is necessary to understand the problem and its impact on biodiversity of lowland forest of Nepal.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 12451-12458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rama Mishra ◽  
Khadga Basnet ◽  
Rajan Amin ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane

The Fishing Cat is a highly specialized and threatened felid, and its status is poorly known in the Terai region of Nepal.  Systematic camera-trap surveys, comprising 868 camera-trap days in four survey blocks of 40km2 in Rapti, Reu and Narayani river floodplains of Chitwan National Park, were used to determine the distribution and habitat characteristics of this species.  A total of 19 photographs of five individual cats were recorded at three locations in six independent events.  Eleven camera-trap records obtained during surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2013 were used to map the species distribution inside Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone.  Habitat characteristics were described at six locations where cats were photographed.  The majority of records were obtained in tall grassland surrounding oxbow lakes and riverbanks.  Wetland shrinkage, prey (fish) depletion in natural wetlands and persecution threaten species persistence.  Wetland restoration, reducing human pressure and increasing fish densities in the wetlands, provision of compensation for loss from Fishing Cats and awareness programs should be conducted to ensure their survival.  We also recommend studying genetic diversity of sub-populations, as well as habitat use by radio-tagging. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6478
Author(s):  
Amemarlita Matos ◽  
Laura Barraza ◽  
Isabel Ruiz-Mallén

This study is based on ethnographic research that analyzes how traditional knowledge and local beliefs on biodiversity conservation relates to the local ability to adapt and be resilient to climatic changes in two communities around Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Nhanfisse in the buffer zone and Muanandimae in the core area. A total of 78 semi-structured interviews with heads of households were conducted. We found that both communities carried out practices and held beliefs associated with conservation, such as protecting trees and animal species considered sacred or perceived as beneficial for human life in terms of water provision and agricultural production. In addition to traditional ceremonies that respond to extreme climatic events such as drought and flood, other adaptation strategies used by the communities include moving to neighboring areas in search of better living conditions and using forest products in times of scarcity. We discuss that the management of the park should be agreed on, in a shared way, between local communities and conservation agents to ensure that these areas continue to perform the ecological, subsistence, and spiritual functions required. Our research results contribute to a better understanding of local adaptation dynamics towards extreme climatic events and improvement of management strategies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O.E. Olaniyi ◽  
B.G. Ogunjemite ◽  
O.S. Akindele ◽  
E.A. Sogbohossou ◽  
M.H. Zakaria

The study aimed at determining the degree and determinants of host communities’ socio-economic dependence on forest products of Pendjari National Park, Benin. Four hundred households in fourteen host communities of the Park were subjected to direct household survey through multistage sampling technique. Forest Dependency Indices were computed to determine the households’ dependence on forest products. An automatic linear modelling algorithm through forward stepwise model selection method was employed to model the main determinants to host communities' socio-economic dependence on forest products. Household age category (5-14 and above 60 years), total monthly income, education level of the household members (junior/senior high school, bachelor’s degree), place of birth, and religion were the main determinants. Most host communities were observed to be dependent on the park in varied forms and degrees, while Tanguieta and Sangou had the least and highest degree of dependence, respectively. Thus, the findings had provided a template for relevant authorities to rightly allocate resources for alternative livelihood means to the ranked host communities. However, a monitoring indicator had been developed to quantify and safeguard the harms of indigenous people to the biodiversity base. This is believed to create a synergy between sustainable development and indigenous peoples.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subash Sapkota ◽  
Sagar Regmi ◽  
Roshan Ghimire ◽  
Ashish Pokhrel ◽  
Amir Sadaula ◽  
...  

Abstract Deer are the hoofed ruminants of the order Artiodactyla and suborder Ruminantia in which infectious disease and parasites are of major concern in their conservation. This specific research helps us to determine the transmission of gastrointestinal parasites between deer and livestock in the buffer zone. The study was conducted in the eastern part of Chitwan National Park from June 2020 to July 2020. Fecal examination for the parasitic load was carried out using Floatation and Sedimentation techniques. 96.49% of the total fecal samples tested for parasitic eggs were found to be positive for the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasite whereas parasitic prevalence in livestock of Buffer Zone i.e. Sauraha and Bachhauli area was calculated to be 87.30% based on the examination conducted within that same period and same area by the veterinary hospital. Pramphistomum was the most prevalent one in both deer (72.72%) and livestock (52.63%). The finding of this research revealed the higher chances of the exchange of parasites between the deer and livestock. A more advanced study must be done in this sector and concerned authorities should develop and implement effective plans to prevent cross-transmission of parasites between deer and livestock and other wildlife.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-227
Author(s):  
William Agia Adongo ◽  
Collins Kwabena Osei ◽  
Camillus Abawiera Wongnaa

Abstract The contribution of income from nontimber forest products (NTFPs) to rural livelihoods and household income has received global recognition. However, there are growing concerns of overexploitation of NTFPs driven by poverty and policy neglect that threaten the sustainability of the NTFP resource base in Kassena-Nankana West District (KNWD) of Ghana. The study investigated the contribution of income from NTFPs to household income and socioeconomic factors that influence the collection and marketing of NTFPs in KNWD. Using a multistage sampling technique, quantitative data were collected from 375 households through structured survey questionnaires. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Results showed that income from NTFPs forms a significant part of household income with a contribution of 32.69 percent to household income. Regression analysis revealed sex of respondent (P = 0.057), household size (P = 0.046), agricultural land size (P = 0.000), NTFP retailers (P = 0.000), NTFP wholesalers (P = 0.000), and value-added NTFPs (P = 0.000) as significantly and positively correlated with income from NTFPs. Results further indicated that poor households depend primarily on NTFPs in order to achieve their subsistence and income needs compared to high-income households. This research recommends that stakeholders and policymakers consider the needs of forest-dependent communities in policy analysis on NTFP conservation measures. Also, the role of households, especially the low income (poor), in the management of forest resources should be spelled out since they depend primarily on NTFPs to meet their subsistence and income needs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. V. Ramachandra ◽  
Bharath Setturu

The ecosystem of health and natural resource management is influenced by the social, political, economic system and institutional framework in a region. Rapid economic growth in Bangalore and its environs in recent decades has resulted in environmental changes in Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and its buffer (of 5 km). Land use land cover (LULC) change analysis with a modelling technique such as cellular automata (CA)-Markov was used for quantitatively exploring forest cover transitions. The analysis of LULC dynamics has revealed loss of vegetation cover from 85.78 per cent to 66.37 per cent (1973–2015) and severe environmental stress. The region has lost moist deciduous cover, from 26.1 per cent to 13.8 per cent, and witnessed an increase in horticulture, from 8.5 per cent to 11 per cent (1973–2015). The visualization of likely land use in 2027 indicates the loss of forest cover from 41.38 per cent to 35.59 per cent with an increase in urban area from 4.49 per cent to 9.62 per cent (with new residential and commercial layouts in the buffer zone of BNP in violation of the eco-sensitive zone norms as per Section 5(1) of Environment Protection Act 1986). The study provides insights for developing an appropriate planning framework towards conservation and the sustainable management of ecologically sensitive national parks.


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