Local communities’ perceptions about the impact of protected areas on livelihoods and community development

Abstract

Perceptions provide an important means of assessing the performance of conservation projects so that better policies may be developed for effective biodiversity protection and the wellbeing of people living near protected areas. Exploring perceptions in different facets of conservation initiatives can help identify aspects of the initiatives that are succeeding and those that are failing. In this study, four facets – governance, management, ecological outcomes and social impacts – of conservation of protected areas in East and West Africa were investigated in Tanzania and Ghana, respectively. One national park each was selected from the two countries and the perceptions of local communities on the impact of the national park on livelihoods and community development, assessed. Household surveys were conducted in selected park-adjacent communities, comprising 181 households in communities near the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania and 184 households in communities near the Mole National Park in Ghana. Results indicated that geographical location of protected areas has an effect on the perceptions of park-adjacent communities. Whereas 64% of respondents in Ghana indicated that the Mole National Park has a positive impact on their livelihoods and community development, 40% of their counterparts in Tanzania shared the same view about the Tarangire National Park (χ2 = 20.71, df = 1, p = <0.001). Further analysis revealed that governance issues were the most influential on the perceptions of local communities about the impact of the two national parks on livelihoods and community development. Results suggest utility for conservation authorities and interest groups of the two parks, and by extension conservation authorities in Africa, to fashion out park-governance structures that are more inclusive and prioritize the roles and entitlements of local communities. Such activities can help make park-adjacent communities important stakeholders and may help strengthen their support for conservation.