Local Community Engagement with Geodiversity and Geotourism in Unprotected Areas: Insights from Baringo County, Kenya

The reality of local community participation in the natural gas sector in Southeastern Tanzania

Cameroon's rainforests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in Africa, harbouring a wealth of flora and fauna. Tropical rainforests are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important ecosystems on the planet, providing critical ecosystem services and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. Bakossi National Park is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including many endangered and threatened species. The park's rainforest resources are vital not only for biodiversity conservation but also for supporting the livelihoods of the local communities who have depended on these resources for generations. This study examines the role of local community engagement and participation in the conservation of the national park's rainforest resources. Besides their engagement, the study also examines the role of local community participation in the conservation of rainforest resources, specifically the mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts within Bakossi National Park. The research employed a mixed-method approach, including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, to gather data from local community members, park management authorities, and other key stakeholders. The results of this study revealed that local community involvement in human-wildlife conflict management showed a significant association with stakeholders’ collaboration P<0.05, the awareness of mitigation measures r=0.106, P<0.05, and the application of mitigation measures X2=6.358, df=2, P<0.05 respectively. There is a significant relation between the collaboration in human-wildlife conflict management and local community involvement, X2=3.292 df=1, P<0.05. Effectively managing human-wildlife conflicts in Bakossi National Park requires a collaborative and community-centric approach. Additionally, the local community revealed a significant association with the people’s experience on the management of human-wildlife conflict, r=0.317, P=0.001. Human-wildlife conflict prevention is associated significantly with local community involvement, X2=5.481, df=3, P<0.05. This study clearly demonstrated the significant influence that local community involvement can have on the management of human-wildlife conflicts in some National Parks in Cameroon. Also, the study highlighted the importance of integrating local community knowledge, institutions, and practices into park management and decision-making processes. Empowering local communities as active partners in conservation, rather than viewing them as threats, can lead to more effective and equitable management of the park's resources. Recommendations include strengthening community-based natural resource management, enhancing benefit-sharing mechanisms, and fostering collaborative governance frameworks that recognise the central role of local stakeholders. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on the significance of community engagement in the conservation of protected areas in the Global South. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, park managers, and conservation practitioners working to ensure the long-term sustainability of Bakossi National Park and other similar ecosystems in the region.

Alienating forest dependent communities from forest by depriving them of the right to use forest resource is what widely accepted over recent years as a major factor in conditioning local communities to develop feelings of hostility towards the forest; and push them to destroy the forest resource irresponsibly. This consideration was lied the foundation for new development in forest management known as participatory forest management (PFM).This form of forest management through local participation is a phenomenon that emerged over recent decades as a remedial measure to the old (top down) form of forest management. One of the core concepts in this Participatory forest management (PFM) is improving local community’s sense of ownership toward the forest by empowering them as both developer and beneficiaries of forest resources. Taking local participation as fundamental principle of PFM approach, this research was under taken on Jello forest with the objective of studying local communities’ participation, attitude towards the new approach (PFM) and improvements in their sense of ownership toward the forest. A total of 172 sampled respondents were randomly selected from both non-PFM and PFM member households. Data were collected from sampled households using Household survey questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussion. Qualitative data were analyzed using content and discourse analyses; whereas quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using R-statistical software. Accordingly the result of household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview were revealed that local communities participation in forest management have improved under the newly introduced forest management system (PFM). The study further revealed that local communities have positive attitude towards PFM and also their sense of ownership toward the forest has significantly improved. About 70% of non- PFM and 85% of PFM members were strongly agreed that the establishment of PFM has improved communities’ participation in forest management. Based on the findings of this study it could be concluded that PFM is effective in improving local community’s participation and sense of ownership towards the forest. Keywords: Participatory Forest management, Sense of Ownership, participation, Sustainable development, Jello Forest. DOI : 10.7176/JRDM/61-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2019

PurposeTransport megaprojects often struggle to offer social value (SV) that meets local communities' needs. This problem is embedded in how local communities' views are captured and incorporated into SV plans through local community engagement (LCE). By problematising the literature, this article aims to identify LCE issues and their impacts on SV plans at the front-end of transport megaprojects.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical lens of the study is the practice theory developed by Schatzki (2016, 2005). The authors conceptualised LCE as a practice and conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with UK practitioners. The authors collected data in three steps from three types of practitioners involved in LCE practice and SV planning: project managers, LCE experts and SV experts.FindingsThe authors identified 18 LCE issues with thematic analysis and clustered them into five themes. These issues impact LCE with five mechanisms. Findings show that a weak link between LCE and SV plans due to the issues reduces LCE to a tick-box exercise and presents a distorted view of local communities. This reduces SV plans to the bare minimum for project approval instead of offering relevant SV to local communities. Addressing the issues goes beyond changing the approach of project teams to engagement (from instrumental to normative) and requires changing the practices.Originality/valueFor the first time, the study uses practice theory to conceptualise LCE as a practice, following the notion of project as practice. The study problematises the literature to address the under-represented link between LCE and SV plans.

One of Earth's foremost ecological challenges is the degradation of land habitats. This degradation is often caused by deforestation and desertification resulting from the unsustainable management of natural resources. Land restoration seeks to reverse this trend and repair ecosystems to better health. Indigenous peoples and local communities have a key role in realizing long-term, sustainable land restoration. Local and indigenous communities often have intimate knowledge of the local ecosystems and an interest in preserving ecosystem services. Areas managed by indigenous peoples and local communities especially overlap with remaining intact ecosystems and suffer from less deforestation than unprotected areas. Here, we discuss how the knowledge and engagement of local communities can improve the management, implementation, and monitoring of habitat restoration. However, there are also challenges to land restoration, and scientists and policymakers that can align restoration outcomes with community benefits gained from environmental stewardship and knowledge, are more likely to achieve long-term sustainable restoration success.

Alienating forest dependent communities from forest by depriving them of the right to use forest resource is what widely accepted over recent years as a major factor in conditioning local communities to develop feelings of hostility towards the forest; and push them to destroy the forest resource irresponsibly. This consideration was lied the foundation for new development in forest management known as participatory forest management (PFM).This form of forest management through local participation is a phenomenon that emerged over recent decades as a remedial measure to the old (top down) form of forest management. One of the core concepts in this Participatory forest management (PFM) is improving local community’s sense of ownership toward the forest by empowering them as both developer and beneficiaries of forest resources. Taking local participation as fundamental principle of PFM approach, this research was under taken on Jello forest with the objective of studying local communities’ participation, attitude towards the new approach (PFM) and improvements in their sense of ownership toward the forest. A total of 172 sampled respondents were randomly selected from both non-PFM and PFM member households. Data were collected from sampled households using Household survey questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussion. Qualitative data were analyzed using content and discourse analyses; whereas quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using R-statistical software. Accordingly the result of household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview were revealed that local communities participation in forest management have improved under the newly introduced forest management system (PFM). The study further revealed that local communities have positive attitude towards PFM and also their sense of ownership toward the forest has significantly improved. About 70% of non- PFM and 85% of PFM members were strongly agreed that the establishment of PFM has improved communities’ participation in forest management. Based on the findings of this study it could be concluded that PFM is effective in improving local community’s participation and sense of ownership towards the forest. Key w ords: Participatory Forest management, Sense of Ownership, participation, Sustainable development, Jello Forest. DOI : 10.7176/JAAS/59-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2019

Successful nature protection initiatives require stakeholder engagement. The intrinsic intricacy of Ecotourism (ET) has made establishing Sustainable Ecotourism (SET) businesses challenging, necessitating more engagement from community stakeholders. The current research examines Local Community Participation (LCP) in Lar National Park (LNP) and the Jajrud Preserved Area (JPA) under the Utilization of National Protected Areas in Iran, assessing its impact on the SET. This research seeks to analyze the influence of LCP on financial, ecological, and sociological sustainability inside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) via the advancement of ET. The research revealed that in LNP, sustainable ecotourism growth engaging LCP is rising due to their strong affinity and curiosity in this pristine natural area. The interaction between local community engagement and ecotourism viability in the JPA is also crucial. Ecosystems have deteriorated, and sustainability has diminished. To preserve these severely threatened natural regions, leaders must enhance LCP and training to motivate local populations to participate actively in developing sustainable ecotourism.

Women's participation in local politics and community engagement is crucial in ensuring a fair representation in local government administration. Studies have acknowledged the low representation of women, but there is limited research on the roles of the elected few in local government. The study recognises the efforts of assemblywomen’s mentorship to empower other women in the local governance system in Ghana. It investigates assemblywomen’s administrative responsibilities that involve other women in community engagement. This strategy politically empowered them and enhanced inclusive governance in five regions of Ghana: Eastern, Central, Bono, Greater Accra, and Western Regions. The study employed a qualitative research approach, used the exploratory design, and sampled 30 assemblywomen for face-to-face interviews on their lived experiences. Four key informants were also interviewed. Other key informants were 6 assemblymen who engaged in focused group discussions. This study is underpinned by substantive representation theory, where elected assemblywomen engaged other women and responded to the needs of the communities. The findings revealed that assemblywomen’s responsibilities and community engagement empowered other women to address their needs. The study recommends the encouragement of assemblywomen to mentor other women to participate in local politics to improve inclusive governance.

Recognizing the importance of local community participation in responsible tourism and its benefits, this case study explores and analyses the local community participation and responsible tourism practices at Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, a premier ecotourism destination from the stakeholders’ perspectives. It also describes the perception and attitudes towards tourism development including the key issues and challenges faced by the local communities. The case study adopted multiple methods involving focus-group interviews and survey questionnaires with the respective local communities residing in Lower Kinabatangan. Findings reveal that local communities recognized that Lower Kinabatangan has great potential to be developed as a sustainable ecotourism destination and to generate economic benefit. Despite this, there is limited participation of local communities in ecotourism development and responsible tourism practices among the local communities. The socio-economic demographic of the local community shows that only 42.4% of respondents have work related to tourism activities. Lack of capital and knowledge in tourism activities are the key barriers for local participation in ecotourism development. For Lower Kinabatangan to be a sustainable ecotourism destination, the participation and engagement of the local community and the practices of responsible tourism can no longer be ignored.

In 2009, the Moroccan Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization confirmed that the transmission of schistosomiasis had ceased in all previously endemic provinces of Morocco. This achievement couldn't have been achieved without the effective participation and engagement of local communities. In this chapter, studies of community participation strategies for schistosomiasis control in Akka oasis were reviewed. Southern Morocco was known to be a foci site for urinary schistosomiasis since 1937. Combined efforts between health officials and local community participation have achieved the elimination of this neglected tropical disease, where the last cases in these foci were recorded in the early 2000s. The results of this chapter can be used to increase awareness of the need for community participation in controlling neglected tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis.

This paper examined the dynamics of land use changes on the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo County. Land is a principal factor of production, a source of life and livelihoods. It provides a means of living and a variety of uses such as agricultural, human settlement, environmental conservation, urban and industrial development purposes among others. These uses compete for space in a fixed area, hence the rising land use conflicts and degradation. The situation has threatened lives and livelihoods, making it difficult to plan for the livelihood activities in the County. This is happening against the backdrop of land use policy changes including; sessional paper no 3 of 2009 on the National Land Policy, the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Land Act, 2012, the Land Registration Act, 2012, the Community Land Act, 2016 and sessional paper no 1 of 2017 on National Land Use Policy that were intended to alleviate the situation. This situation is now a major threat to the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo County. This study, therefore, sought to examined the dynamics of land use changes on the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo county with specific objective to establish the drivers of the changes. A comprehensive desk review of existing literature was done, and land use changes were descriptively analyzed. The review spanned from pre-colonial (before 1895), colonial (1895 to 1963), independence (1963 to 2010) including the subsequent years of land reforms following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 onwards to 2020. The study found that the key drivers of land use changes originate from the change of land use policies from customary to European-like systems during the colonial era (1895 to 1963). These drivers revolve around the conflicts in the application of land use policies and laws, dual production system (different land use for registered private land in arable areas and the unregistered community land in non-arable areas within the county) occasioning wide productivity gap and economic disparity. Further the knowledge gaps associated with colonial perceptions, ideologies, and attitudinal practices, which led to misconception and wrong policies aggravated the situation. The consequences disorganize the local community land use and social system, broke down the traditional grazing and cropping patterns, depleted soils fertility & degraded the environment. In addition, the study found out that in the unregistered community land, land use conflicts were rampant, and characterized by invaded and claim interest as well as unscrupulous legal manipulation of land ownership records leading to dispossession. These two salient features are the main drivers of land use changes that led to continuous and frequent fatal inter-ethnic land use conflicts among the local communities; causing displacement and destruction of property among other atrocities working against politically weak local community. This scenario destabilized livelihood possibilities making it difficult for local communities to engage in basic livelihood activities and create uncertainty for future development. The study concluded that the security of land tenure perpetrates land use conflicts particularly in the unregistered community land. The government, therefore, need to register the community land to enhance land tenure security in the county.

This article explores how stakeholder power positions influence the interpretation, expectation and practice of local community participation in public-sector megaprojects. Understanding stakeholder power positions is critical to explaining local community participant behaviour. Building on local community participation and stakeholder management theories, the case study adopted a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten purposefully selected respondents, comprising Medupi management personnel, Lephalale local municipality officials and local community actors. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. The study’s key finding is that empowerment of communities is fundamental to successful local community participation in public-sector megaprojects. Current participation practices are dominated by a top-down approach characteristic of ‘invited spaces’, exhibiting ‘representative participation’ rather than genuine local community participation. This study established that local communities, largely because of their constrained socio-economic circumstances, view participation parochially as a livelihood issue. Project implementers who occupy a privileged, powerful position view local community participation from the perspective of bestowing benevolence. Officials from the host municipality view public participation as an extension of their public participation mandate embedded in municipal legislative prescripts. The contention of this article is that, without genuine empowerment of communities, meaningful participation in public-sector megaprojects will continue to elude local communities.

Bali Fantasi is one of the turtle parks in Tanjung Benoa Village. Bali Fantasi turtle park is managed by local organization community. According to it, this research is to find out how that local communities managing Bali Fantasi to Parks Tourist Attraction.The research methodology used in this study is descriptive qualitative research, with observation, interview, literature study and documentation techniques. Data sources are obtained from primary data and secondary data. The theory or concept used is A4 concept (Attractions, Amenities, Access, Ancillary) and community participation theory.The result of this research represents the stage of local communities in managing Fantasi Turtle to Parks Tourist Attraction will be classified into induced participation. Local organization who managing Fantasi Turle Parks is under controlled by Badan Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA), local communities receive the income from tourist contributions and self – controlling Bali Fantasi Turle Parks Tourist Attraction which is done by local communities for security.Keyword: Turtle, Local Community Participation, Management

A research study was carried out to investigate the extent to which local communities and government authorities are involved in tourism development, with the objective of promoting sustainable practices that are mutually beneficial. Although attempts have been made to incorporate local communities in the tourism sector, there is insufficient research on their viewpoints and level of participation, particularly in Uzbekistan. The purpose of this research is to appraise the perceptions of local government authorities regarding the progress of tourism, gauge their current participation in the field, comprehend their thoughts on the government’s responsibility in tourism development, and investigate their stance on contributing funds to the local community. This study focuses on Uzbekistan as the research area and aims to investigate the views of local communities and government authorities on tourism development. Additionally, the study seeks to identify opportunities for enhancing local community engagement in tourism in Uzbekistan regions. The objectives of this research are as follows: 1) to evaluate the viewpoints of government officials in Uzbekistan regions regarding the progress of tourism; 2) to examine the level of involvement of local government in the tourism sector; and 3) to scrutinize the perspectives of local authorities on the role of the government in the development of tourism and 4) examine the perspectives of local authorities on contributing revenue to the local community.

This paper examined the effects of land use changes on the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo County. Land is a principal factor of production, a source of life and livelihoods. It provides a means of living and a variety of uses such as agricultural, human settlement, environmental conservation, urban and industrial development purposes among others. These uses compete for space in a fixed area, hence the rising land use conflicts and degradation. The situation has threatened lives and livelihoods, making it difficult to plan for the livelihood activities in Baringo County. This is happening against the backdrop of land use policy changes including; the National Land Policy, the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Land Act, 2012, the Land Registration Act, 2012, the Community Land Act, 2016 and the National Land Use Policy that confers sanctity on land use. Using non-experimental survey design, 323 households were randomly sampled from Baringo South, Tiaty, Baringo North and Eldama Ravine Constituencies. Cobb-Douglas production model was used to analyze livelihood assets productivity. The study found out that land use changes decreased livelihood assets productivity at varied level of significance; human by 56.1% at 1%, physical by 53.4% at 10% and financial by 65.6% at 5% level. This decrease is related with the unregistered community land in dry areas (pastoral) largely in Tiaty constituency, where livelihood assets productivity decreased by 282.4% at 5%, and in the marginal areas (agro-pastoral) largely in Baringo South, where livelihood assets productivity decreased by 9% at 1% level of significance. In contrast, land use changes increased livelihood assets productivity in the highlands, particularly, in Eldama Ravine constituency, it increased by 139.3% at 10%, and in Baringo North Constituency, it increased by 5.1% at 1% level of significance. This increase in livelihood assets productivity in the highlands was associated with security of land tenure under registered private land use. The study concluded that unregistered community land is the main cause of unstable and uncertain livelihoods in Baringo County particularly in dry areas. The effects led to severe land use conflicts occasioning deaths, displacement and distorted livelihood perpetuating uncertain conditions for future livelihood development. The government, therefore, need to recognize, protect and register the local communities’ interest on community land. This will guarantee land tenure security, enhance livelihood assets productivity and secure future development for the local communities.