The impact of socio-economic benefits in enhancing participation of local communities in wildlife conservation in Akagera National park, Rwanda
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Date
2013
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The Akagera National Park is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda along the Kagera River, is known to initiate the benefit sharing scheme for local communities adjacent to this park. These residents are provided with infrastructure development funds for initiative of collective community development projects, job opportunities among others. However, there is little information to show the impact of these economic incentives to enhance participation of local people in wildlife conservation in Akagera National Park, Rwanda. The study specifically intended to identify socio- economic benefits and to analyse mechanisms through which socio-economic benefits are used to enhance participation of local communities in Park conservation. To determine the extent to which the socio- economic benefits enhance local community participation in conservation activities and finally to analyse factors which promote and undermine the socio economic benefits in enhancing participation of local communities in Akagera conservation activities. The study involved seven villages along the park and data were collected by using a household questionnaire, checklist for key informants for primary data and Rwanda Development Board and Community Conservation Department for secondary data collection. Data were analysed using SPSS and Excel programs. Cross tabulation, frequencies, percentages were obtained. The study identified indirect benefits mainly schools, health services and direct benefits like jobs and fund granted for community projects as major mechanisms for providing socio- economic benefits to local
people around the Park. Residents were willing to participate in wildlife conservation through ant- poaching, controlling fire incidence, and deforestation control among others. It further concluded that majority of locals were aware of the park and had positive attitudes towards the park. However villagers expressed their compensation complaints for their crop damage, livestock depredation, and injuries or death by wildlife.
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As recommendation direct socio- economic benefits should be increased, the new compensation scheme should be put into practice as soon as possible.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Socio-Economic Benefits, Participation, Local Communities, Wildlife Conservation, Akagera National Park, Rwanda