Abstract
This study analysed the status of ecotourism and related developments in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) with some specific examples drawn from Zimbabwe. The objectives of the study were to: (i) explore the evolution of wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprise development by local communities, and (ii) determine factors influencing local community-owned wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprises in the GLTFCA. The study was based on two data collection methods, i.e., documentary review of academic literature and reports, and key informant interviews with 30 selected stakeholders from Chipinge and Chiredzi districts conducted between January and June 2018. The findings showed that there is some progress related to initiatives to help improve community-based wildlife conservation and cross border ecotourism. However, some challenges attributed to lack of market linkages and networks, macro-economic challenges faced by Zimbabwe which escalated since the year 2000 and limited institutional capacity of community-based institutions are negatively affecting the achievement of the desired targets. It is recommended that participatory planning and enhanced involvement of the local communities in wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprises be prioritized.
Highlights
Ecotourism and wildlife conservation are complementary sectors of the economy (Buckley, 2010; Chiutsi & Saarinen, 2017)
Some of the reasons that expedited the establishment of Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) were the failure of the top-down conservation approaches associated with high law enforcement costs, increases in poaching and human wildlife conflicts (Jones, 2006; Songorwa, 1999), which led to the realization that as long as the local communities were not participating in the management and conservation of wildlife the challenges would escalate
In southern Africa, a number of initiatives have been adopted by the various governments to try and motivate the local communities especially those at the interface of protected areas to live in harmony with wildlife through community-based ecotourism partnership initiatives
Summary
Ecotourism and wildlife conservation are complementary sectors of the economy (Buckley, 2010; Chiutsi & Saarinen, 2017). Pressure kept mounting on most governments including those in southern Africa to harmonise conservation and community benefits (Decaro & Stokes, 2008; Tchakatumba et al, 2019) It was noted with growing consensus from conservationists and governments that local communities should take part in wildlife conservation other than being reduced to the role of spectators (Metcalfe, 1994; Murombedzi, 2008; Muphree, 2009). Ecotourism and wildlife conservation related enterprises were embraced outside protected areas to create benefit opportunities to the local communities living with wildlife or adjacent to protected areas in line with the objectives of these broarder landscape level intiatives like the TFCAs (Suich et al, 2013). The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) explore the evolution of wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprise development by local communities and (ii) determine factors influencing local community owned wildlife conservation and ecotourism related enterprises in the GLTFCA
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