Local Communities’ Attitudes and Support Towards the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Southwest Botswana

Abstract

Protected areas are of national importance and have developed into sources of benefits while in other situations have sparked conflicts among stakeholders, including residents from adjacent local communities, and park authorities. In this study, we examined community residents' attitudes towards the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) in the Kalahari region (SW Botswana). This study assessed factors that influence support for, or opposition to, the KTP. A questionnaire with semi-structured questions was used to gather information from head of households (N = 746) in nine villages in the Kalahari region. Overall, positive attitudes and support for the KTP as a transfrontier park were documented, though tangible benefits were limited. Further based on analyses, literacy, proximity, and employment status were key variables that influenced support. In addition, any increase in residents' perceived benefits, land ownership, conservation awareness, and local benefits resulted in increased support for KTP. The implications indicated that communities near the KTP (Botswana side) need to be consulted, while further communications between the KTP management and authorities and adjacent villages are required to initiate effective community conservation programs. Additional programs and community outreach initiatives would also enable positive attitudes and support of KTP.Sustainability 2020, 12, 1524 2 of 17 unreliable rainfall and recurring droughts, and population growth in villages flanking protected areas [6,10,13,21,26,34,[43][44][45][46][47]. In southern Africa, livelihood activities with sole dependence on forest and rangeland resources have caused, and in some instances, exacerbated soil and land degradation [48,49]. Subsequently, instances of conflicts over natural resource use between different stakeholders that include park authorities and adjacent local communities [15,24,[50][51][52] have also fueled unsustainable livelihood activities such as illegal hunting, overharvesting of rare species of flora and fauna [32]. In response, rural communities have resorted to new livelihood ventures, such as park-based community ecotourism and wildlife safaris enterprises in the form of Community-based Organizations (CBOs) or Trusts near or in Protected Areas (PAs) [5,47,[52][53][54][55]. In Botswana, the government has introduced the concept of community based natural resource management (CBNRM) and community based organization (CBOs) (e.g., wildlife based Trusts) as a strategy to diversify rural livelihoods and reduce competition for the same resources among stakeholders [24,49]. It is through such initiatives that rural communities are encouraged to establish CBOs (Trusts) to develop community-based tourism enterprises from which they collectively plan, make decisions, manage and operate tourism enterprises and share benefits [5,56,57].Thus, many rural communities especially those found in or near resource rich (i.e., fauna, flora, and cultural-heritage) protected areas have formed CBOs/Trusts which are comprised of one or...

Insights into Community Attitudes and Perceptions at Borakalalo National Park, South Africa

“…Community–park interactions were also assessed in terms of proactive conservation initiatives. Importantly, environmental education can have a positive impact on attitudes, as well as reduce the negative effect of rural communities on protected areas (Makindi, 2016; Moswete et al, 2020) yet only 7% of respondents were aware of any conservation initiatives in their villages. The two main initiatives mentioned being a school camp organised annually at Borakalalo and a tree planting project from 10 years prior.…”

“…Pragmatically, various studies have also determined participation improves attitudes and reduces local negative impacts on wildlife (Petrus and Mosimane, 2018). Similarly, Musavengane (2019) maintains meaningful participation is essential to CBNRM success, while Gandiwa et al (2013) and Moswete et al (2020) argue even in the absence of material benefits it is still important to involve neighbouring communities.…”

“…On the one hand many studies concluded that appropriate, sufficient and equitable distribution of tangible economic benefits is most relevant (Mutanga et al, 2015; Suich, 2013). On the other hand, however, it is also noted that even when material benefits are too low to be meaningful communities do value other less tangible benefits (Moswete et al, 2020; Mutanga et al, 2015). For these reasons, this study considers both tangible and intangible benefits.…”

People’s Perceptions of Community Participation in Conservation of Natural Resources in Rwanda - the Case of Nyungwe National Park

“…Positive perception of benefits and opportunities from the parks expects people's attitude towards conservation (Moswete et al, 2020;Ormsby & Kaplin, 2005). However, wildlife-human conflicts and lack of access to the park's natural resources are negative impacts on local communities neighboring the park (Karanth et al, 2013;Mc Guinness & Taylor, 2014;Michalski et al, 2006;Naughton-Treves, 1998).…”

“…Furthermore, an understanding of the perceptions from the local community on the benefits they get as park neighbors, is very necessary in engaging themselves in protected areas management and wildlife conservation as well as be supportive to conservation initiatives (Anthony, 2007;Moswete et al, 2020;Ormsby & Kaplin, 2005). It can reveal opportunities for improving relationships, and community conservation programs as well as informing policy makers and park managers.…”