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This study aims at identifying the existing and potential resources, as well as recognizing the hindrances, for community-based ecotourism development in the Taita Hills in south-eastern Kenya
. The indigenous mountain rain forests on the hills are rich in biodiversity, but severely degraded because of encroachment caused by the dynamics of increased population, socio-politics and economics.
The research problems are based on the hypothesis that there is no tourism in the Taita Hills generating income for the local economy and high population density combined with poverty creates a need for alternative employment opportunities as well as for sustainable ways of forest resource management. The data for this study was gathered during two field trips in Kenya, in January-February 2004 and 2005, as a part of the Taita Project within the Department of Geography at the University of Helsinki. The qualitative methods used consist of RRA and PRA techniques, in-depth interviews, a structured questionnaire and literature analysis as well as attendance on excursions and a workshop with conservation experts and officials. Four case areas in the Taita Hills are studied.
The study concludes that alternative livelihoods are needed among the Taita Hills´ rural population and community-based ecotourism is seen as a way of bringing financial benefits for households as well as reviving the fading cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge about forest use. The governmental policies, district level development plans and some NGOs support ecotourism development. The Forest Act 2005 forms base for local participation in forest management. The unique natural features, the welcoming Taita-culture and the location in the coastal tourism circle favour Taita Hills. However, this kind of development has its risks, such as too rapid change of forest usage level and the exposure of communities to an ?ecotourism treadmill? ? process. The costbenefit ration of marketing for hard ecotourists is generally low and the tourism infrastructure needs upgrading in the Taita Hills. More tight collaboration is important between the different level stakeholders working for conservation and development. Community-based ecotourism in Taita Hills, when carefully planned and managed, could be one opportunity for Kenya to diversify its tourism product supply and for forest-adjacent communities to gain tangible benefits on a sustainable basis from forests
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The study aims to explore tourism impacts on the economy and mountain environment
. It was carried out by accumulating primary information through conducting household surveys using a questionnaire format. Altogether thirty-two households, representing more than a sixty percent sample, were included in this survey. Besides, observation and informal talks or discussion were made as secondary information.
The majority of the Indian sub-continent?s tourists visit the study area for religious purposes while American and Europeans visit for trekking. The flow of visits is found to have differed significantly before and after 2000 A.D. Tourists preferred to use the sites for short periods only.
Improper livestock rearing practices and high fuel wood consumption have created pressure on natural resources especially on grass and forest land; while, pollution due to tourism is found. Tourism has played a considerable role to increase the villagers? income status and income inequality has slightly decreased with the passage of time.
Income from tourism business is inflationary and seasonal, so for sustainable tourism, domestic tourism ought to be promoted. Well managed animal rearing practices should be adopted to mitigate pressure on grasslands and forestlands. With the adoption of new technologies, the traditional use of the resources has deteriorated, thus leading in the degradation of the local culture. So to avoid destroying old knowledge and technologies, new technologies should be locally tested first and adapted to suit the local environment
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Linkages between natural capital and rural livelihoods have not been adequately studied in analyses of conflict in Central Asia
. Environmental degradation and depletion in predominantly rural and agricultural regions contribute to increased social conflict, as well as increased potential for violent conflict. In many cases, especially in those with
authoritarian governments, lack of environmental governance capacity in the public, civil society, and business sectors is largely responsible for creating and condoning a context
in which processes of natural capital loss occur.
This research paper focuses on Tajikistan, an impoverished, agricultural, and mountainous country located in southeastern Central Asia. It concludes that loss of natural capital in Tajikistan has compromised rural livelihood options and contributed to the emergence of unsustainable livelihood strategies, social conflict, especially gender
inequity, and - in combination with other factors such as high rural population growth and a significant youth bulge; high unemployment of young men and women; and regionalism - a heightened probability of renewed violent conflict. Efforts to strengthen capacity for environmental governance and promote peace are underway, but require additional support, information, and guidance. In order to be successful, development efforts must help decentralize national decision-making structures and processes; replace regionalism-based appointments and hiring practices with democratic elections and professionalism; disentangle the government and business sectors; empower small and medium sized businesses and the civil society sector; and ensure that structures and processes of environmental governance in Tajikistan are legitimate, accountable, transparent, knowledgeable, efficient, and self-sustainin
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The aim of this study is to present a view of the state of the indigenous forests and sacred forests in Taita Hills, in southeast Kenya, and to discuss the possibilities of ecotourism in Taita-Taveta district in preserving these natural-cultural habitats
. The concept of ecotourism is defined and the interdependence of the ecological sustainability and the community viability is discussed. The plans concerning the future of the forests and local communities made by the government and non-governmental organisations are also looked at.
The high population density in the Taita Hills puts great pressure on the land and the area needs strategies for preserving its fragile biodiversity. Incomes from other sectors outside agriculture are important for many households. Ecotourism is seen as a way to combine the nature conservation and the economic development of local communities. Taita Taveta has potential but also constraints for promoting this kind of small-scaled tourism
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Research on tourism development in developing countries is relatively recent, growing during the last twenty years
. Interest in eco-tourism and sustainable tourism has emerged in the last ten years, as a response to growing awareness of the negative impacts of tourism. It is now increasingly accepted that tourism development needs to be planned and that this should involve local people at all stages of development.
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