Attitudes Of Local Communities Research Articles

THE ROLE OF OPEN-AIR CALVARIES IN THE CONTEXT OF LANDSCAPE HERITAGE PROTECTION OF THE EASTERN SUDETES

The article concerns the meaning and landscape functions of Small Calvaries located in the Eastern Sudetes in the border area of the Czech Republic and Poland. The publication aims to indicate the main typological features of this type of calvary, taking into account the current behaviour of residents having a common sarcastic heritage. Due to the subject, interdisciplinary research was undertaken in the direction of valorization as well as environmental interviews. The use of geosociological methodology made it possible to assess the landscape in terms of its contemporary functions and potential threats. The research allowed us to distinguish two types of landscape layouts: elliptical and linear of a historical nature, and modern, mainly linear. Sociological research showed the attitude of local communities to the sacred heritage in the Eastern Sudetes.

The Pivotal Significance of Sociocultural Demarcations in Shaping and Upholding the Ethnic Identity of the Deported Meskhetians (Exemplified in the Context of South Georgia)

The article delves into an intricate exploration of the function, significance, and intrinsic characteristics defining social, cultural, and ethnic demarcations, pivotal in shaping the self-perception of the deported Meskhetians. Despite the prevailing consensus emphasizing the pivotal role of historical memory, territorial associations, interconnected emotions, and collective trauma in shaping the identity of the deported Meskhetians, empirical studies underscore the substantial role played by social and cultural boundaries. These boundaries stand as equally significant mechanisms, fostering the preservation of the identity of this community vis-à-vis other ethnic or social groups. A consensus prevails regarding the manifestation of these boundaries, often characterized by unique markers, symbolic representations, specific attributes, or momentous events. The existence of such resemblant boundaries exerts a profound influence on the attitudes, interrelations, and mutual understandings between individuals and discrete groups, thereby exerting a substantial impact on self-perception. The empirical foundation supporting precise assertions and deductions emanates from comprehensive field studies carried out among the deported Meskhetians domiciled in South Georgia. The inquiry into the identity quandary of repatriates is approached from diverse angles, employing a spectrum of methodologies such as the micro-history approach, biographical-narrative interviews, in-depth interviews, and life history analysis. A comparative method was instrumental in juxtaposing and analyzing data sourced from distinct target groups, enabling the correlation of discerned disparities with varying experiences and historical recollections. Specifically, 44 participants spanning various ages and diverse life experiences underwent interviews. The amassed information was meticulously sifted through, considering parameters such as the respondent's age, ethnic background, gender, direct or tangential association with memories linked to the deportation episode. The primary trends influencing the trajectory of identity establishment or preservation, as delineated within the empirical data, were methodically extracted and isolated. The scrutiny of the acquired data revealed striking disparities in how interviewees perceive their own ethnic identity. Equally apparent were discrepancies in the local community's attitudes towards them and their interpretation of the interviewees' ethnicity. Notably, confirmation emerged regarding the existence of specific social and cultural boundaries within the internal dynamics of the deported Meskhetian community. Yet, as expected, conspicuous cultural and social distinctions surfaced between the deported Meskhetians and the local population, emphasizing unequivocal separations. The contention is posited that the distinctiveness of these boundaries is shaped by several factors. Specifically, the respondent's stance concerning ethnic heritage within their internal group, the diverse traditions prevalent within the Georgian ethnic group, anticipation of potential risks inherent in the Armenian ethnic group, and the accrued experiences from intergroup relations collectively contribute to this delineation. The overarching outcomes of the research are deliberated within the realm of prevailing theories pertaining to identity. The assertion is made that the pivotal determinants shaping the self-perception of the deported Meskhetians primarily align within the constructivist theory framework.

Knowledge, attitudes, and conservation challenges for the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal

The knowledge and attitudes of local communities are essential for understanding the distribution, ecology, and pertinent threats to bird species, particularly those existing beyond protected areas. Despite the reliance of large waterbirds like storks on human-dominated landscapes, research in this domain is limited across its range. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 546 local people across seven districts in the lowlands of Nepal from 2021 to 2022 to insights into people’s knowledge, attitudes, and the conservation challenges faced by the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). Our findings showed that people possessed substantial knowledge about the species name and ecology. A majority of the people (89%), agreed with the statement that the Lesser Adjutant contributes to ecosystem services in farmlands, whereas they disagreed with the notions that it is a pest, unattractive species, or possess medicinal values, with 84%, 82%, and 67% respectively holding these views. In addition, 65% of people reported a significant decline in its population, with 67% noting a decrease in distribution range and 49% observing a decline in nesting sites over the past decade, primarily due to food scarcity, habitat loss, the felling of nesting trees, wetland degradation, pesticide use, and hunting, among other factors. A striking knowledge gap was evident, with approximately two-thirds of people unaware of its conservation status, and over 80% highlighting the absence of local awareness initiatives. Nonetheless, majority of the people (95%) expressed strong support for its conservation, emphasizing the need for intensified awareness programs, habitat conservation and management, and the protection of large trees, among other measures, to ensure the well-being of this iconic species beyond the confines of protected areas. Our study provides essential baseline data for researchers and conservation managers to design effective plans and policies for the research and conservation of the Lesser Adjutant.

Local Insights into Rural Tourism: A Study of Heeloya in the Knuckles Mountain Range

With its natural attractiveness and cultural prosperity, the Knuckles Mountain Range presents an exclusive opportunity for rural tourism, which Heeloya, a village nestled within this biodiverse area, has begun to embrace. This article investigates the local community's perceptions and attitudes towards tourism, examining the meaning of tourism in their traditional lifestyle, economy, and environment. Employing a mixed-methodological approach, the study integrates qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys analyzed through qualitative descriptive analysis and descriptive statistics. The qualitative descriptive analysis enabled the emergence of concepts underlying rural tourism. These concepts were further validated with selected quotations. A concept map created using Leximancer further substantiated these underlying conceptions and clarified the interconnectedness between the concepts. The findings suggest that the community is thoughtfully optimistic about the potential of rural tourism, encouraging a participatory approach to tourism development and engagement to ensure that it remains in congruence with Heeloya’s cultural essence and the grand Knuckles Mountain Range. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable rural tourism, providing valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and communities considering tourism as a pathway for rural development.

Local knowledge and attitudes of frankincense communities in northeastern Somalia

The global understanding of Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to the management and conservation of frankincense trees in Somalia remains limited, particularly considering the highly context-specific nature of TEK. This research aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge by enhancing our understanding of the role played by Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the management and governance of frankincense fields in northeastern Somalia. The primary objective of this study is to identify and describe the key components of local knowledge that regulate harvesting practices, with the overarching goal of ensuring the long-term survival and productivity of frankincense trees in the country. Additionally, the study explores the attitudes of local communities towards traditional harvesting and conservation practices in frankincense fields. The findings highlight valuable insights into the interplay between local knowledge and the conservation of frankincense trees in northeastern Somalia, bridging the gap between scientific understanding and indigenous wisdom.

Attitude and Involvement of Local Communities in Nature Conservation around Idanre Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria

This objective of this study was to assess the attitude and involvement of the local communities on nature conservation around Idanre Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria using structured questionnaire. The study revealed the socio-demographic characteristics of community members of Idanre Forest Reserve. Data obtained shows that majority of the community members were aware of Idanre forest reserve and the attitudes and involvement of the local community towards conservation at Idanre forest reserve was negative. Factors that determined local people’s attitudes include assess to benefits obtained from the park. The impact of these benefits on attitudes was shown by the willingness of the people to assist the park management in promoting wildlife conservation. It was concluded that the factors responsible for the negative attitudes and involvement of local members towards nature conservation of Idanre Forest Reserve were majorly the lack of substantial benefits from the reserve and also the unfriendly nature of management. A bottom-top approach is hereby recommended, through regular involvement of local community leaders in major aspect of decision making.

Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Butterflies and Ecotourism in West Sumatera

Local Community Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Butterflies and Ecotourism in West Sumatera

Local's attitude towards African elephant conservation in and around Chebra Churchura National Park, Ethiopia.

Economic growth and development in developing countries often involves land-use changes which fragment natural areas, bring humans and wildlife into closer proximity and escalating human- wildlife conflicts. Human-wildlife conflicts impose huge costs on local people and their livelihoods. Balancing developmental activities with the conservation of mega fauna such as the African and Asian elephants (Loxodonta Africana, Elephas maximus; respectively) remains problematic. Understanding the reasoning upon which perceived risks and level of human- elephant conflict laid is critical to address societal or cultural beliefs in order to develop effective mitigation strategies. The perceived risks and level of conflict have to be properly addressed for effective planning and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies. We studied human- elephant interactions in Chebra Churchura National Park Ethiopia (CCNP) from September 8 to October 28, 2022 and collected baseline data on human perceptions of conflicts in an area where elephant populations are increasing. To complete our study, we surveyed 800 household from 20 villages adjacent to the CCNP. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the relevance of the existing human-elephant conflict (HEC) with the attitude of local communities towards elephant conservation, the park management and perceived effective mitigation techniques. The local communities trust in the implementation of different traditional mitigation techniques is generally weak. The households interviewed were less positive towards the effectiveness of most of the traditional techniques in chasing elephants away from their farm lands. They believed that elephants had already adapted and do not respond to most of these techniques. Against the above perception in exception of their usual absence and late arrival, perception of local communities about shooting warning gun by park scouts is among the most accepted effective methods in chasing elephants from their farm lands. The majority of respondents believe that separation of elephants and humans by constricting barriers is the best solution to the problem. The idea of constructing barriers such as electric fence; ditch or concrete wall and blocking corridors between the Park boundary and the villages have become the most popular idea of local communities followed by relocating people to other safer places, as the best protection method against the elephant attack irrespective of the associated initial and maintenance costs.

Арктический туризм как драйвер устойчивого развития территории: исследование заинтересованности местных стейкхолдеров Республики Коми

In recent decades, interest in Arctic tourism has been growing at a high rate all over the world. The relevance of this area is also increasing against the background of global climate change and the development of so-called “last chance tourism”. The Russian Arctic has unique competitive advantages in the Arctic tourism market, preserving vulnerable Arctic and tundra landscapes under various anthropogenic activities, a large number of national parks and historical and ethnographic heritage. At the same time, a number of single-industry towns are also concentrated there, which have practically no revenue base. According to many researchers, Arctic tourism can become a driver for the sustainable development of the territory and local communities of these towns. But to realize this scenario, the interest of local stakeholders — representatives of government, business and the population — is necessary. This article is devoted to the analysis of the results of a study of local communities’ interest in tourism development as a driver of sustainable development of the territory. The Arctic zone of the Komi Republic, namely the former mining town of Inta, was chosen as the area of study. The results of desk and field studies carried out within the framework of the research expedition in the Arctic zone of the Komi Republic are described. A comparative analysis of international studies on the topic has been carried out, a conceptual model of the attitude of local communities in the Arctic to the development of tourism in the region and the results of in-depth research and focus groups with key stakeholders of tourism in the Komi Republic have been described, limiting factors and potential for the development of Arctic tourism have been identified on the example of the selected territories.

Planning for Socio-Ecological Conservation in South African Nature Reserves: Model of Influences on the Attitudes of Proximate Communities

Conservation planning models need to be more inclusive, considering both social and ecological dimensions in order to achieve sustainable conservation. To do this, stakeholders need to understand the communities that border protected areas, which involves insight into attitudes. This research therefore aimed to determine what influences the attitudes of local communities towards protected areas, culminating in a model. The research was conducted at three case study sites across South Africa, each involving a nature reserve and a proximate local community. Multiple qualitative methods were used to gather data from the local community and protected area staff around different aspects that influence attitudes. Following cross-case analysis, meta-themes were identified that formed the building blocks of the model and informed the accompanying practical recommendations regarding implementation thereof. The model outlines the centrality of relationships between local communities and park stakeholders, which are impacted by benefits, costs, facilitators and detractors. It also outlines how positive attitudes can be fostered through practical actions. As communities receive and perceive the benefits of living alongside wildlife, there is potential for positivity to improve while simultaneously achieving biodiversity conservation that is supported by the community. In line with adaptive management, users can test and adapt the model, continually aiming for conservation planning that is more community-based.

Community Knowledge and Attitudes towards the Critically Endangered Mountain Bongo in Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

Aims: To assess local community knowledge and attitudes towards the conservation of the critically endangered Mountain bongo in Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.
 Study Design: Descriptive research design was used.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the community neighboring Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and the adjacent part of the Mt Kenya Forest during the month of March 2020.
 Methodology: The survey targeted approximately 500 households that are less than 3 kilometers from the conservancy and forest boundaries. Households were considered as sampling units and these were selected using systematic random sampling technique. The interviews were conducted in a semi-structured manner and colored photographs of the Mountain bongo and 12 other selected mammals found in the region were used to assess respondent’s basic knowledge about the animals.
 Results: The results captured 142 informants where 71.8% of the respondents could identify the mountain bongo but only 18.3% were aware of its vernacular name. Knowledge on habitat requirements, feeding habits, threats and conservation value differed significantly from what was expected (p<0.05). Based on logistic regression, the knowledge could be predicted based on gender and age and whether one had a previous interaction with the animal. We found that 57% of the respondents supported bongo conservation whereas 40.8% were undecided and this was associated with lack of knowledge about the animal. In addition 27.5% of the respondents appreciated mountain bongo because of attracting tourists, 12.0% felt that the antelope was attractive, 8.5% liked its size, 4.2% liked its products such as bushmeat, 4.2% liked its aggressiveness and 0.7% liked its interesting behaviour.
 Conclusion: Although bongos could be identified by most respondents, basic ecological knowledge of the animal is limited in the community. A pro-conservation attitude towards bongos exists in the community, but the utilitarian value attached to it and its habitat could be a threat to its conservation in the Mt Kenya. Local community support for conservation of the Mountain bongo in Mt Kenya was influenced by gender, age and knowledge of the animal and these factors should be considered when creating conservation awareness in the community.

Factors Influencing the Attitudes of Local Community towards Protected Areas, Case Study on Ambatara Protected Area Forest Conservation, Northwest Ethiopia

Protected areas (PAs) are crucial for natural resources and biodiversity conservation. However, they also hurt local communities by limiting access to farmland, forest product resources, and imposing fees. In some cases, local communities may view PAs as a risk to their livelihood or appreciate benefits of having PAs at other times. Hence, improving the positive attitudes of the local community toward PAs is important for the success of PAs preservation. This paper examined factors influencing the attitudes of the local community towards protected areas, a Case Study on Ambatara Protected Area (APA) forest Conservation, Northwest Ethiopia. Data was collected through household surveys. Econometric model were used for further analysis. The result identified influential factors and revealed that higher levels of age, education, family size, farmland size, livestock size, benefits, and awareness were all significantly associated with a more positive attitude of the local community towards PAs but having severe problems with a negative attitude. These were the key factors influencing the attitudes of the local community and should be a consideration when designing conservation initiatives and policy decisions. In general, most respondents had a positive attitude(supportive) towards PA and believed the conservation of APA is essential for them. However, they had some concerns about the management and lack of access to appropriate resources; this needs to be addressed to ensure their long-term sustainability. This study concludes that understanding the attitudes of local communities toward protected areas is essential to provide a successful conservation strategy and tangible benefits to local communities and PAs. These will help to ensure and preserve PAs for generations to come.

Support for tourism development in Pakistan: A study of road and transportation infrastructure development

The local population is considered one of the main stakeholders in tourism development. Understanding whether and how road and transport infrastructure is related to local communities' overall attitude toward tourism development is crucial. Scholars have suggested that the overall positive attitude of a local community is associated with its tourism development. This study keeps in view the positive and negative consequences of road and transport development and its relationship with local communities' overall attitude. Drawing on social exchange theory, this study investigates local community support for tourism development using 565 samples from the local community of Gilgit-Baltistan and northern areas of Pakistan. Findings show that community visibility and image enhancement are positively related to the overall attitude of the local community. Infrastructure and urbanization are also positively related to the host community's overall attitude, whereas traffic problems are negatively related to the overall attitude of the local community. However, environmental concerns have an insignificant relationship with the overall attitude of the local community. Overall attitude of local communities is also positively related to support for tourism development. Furthermore, economic benefits positively moderate the relationship between the overall attitude of the local community and its support for tourism development.

Perception of local communities on protected areas: lessons drawn from the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT A study targeting the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of local communities’ opinion on benefits and disbenefits of protected areas and existing benefit-sharing mechanisms and to suggest future research for development direction related to the management of protected areas. Household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were tools used to collect data. The results obtained through the analysis of the factors affecting the attitude of local communities on the park and its management demonstrated that efforts should be concentrated on improving communication with local communities and short-term economic benefits as well as identifying the reasons for the unhealthy relationships and addressing them. These issues can partly be addressed through creating and supporting effective and functioning multi-stakeholder platforms for dialogue and co-production of knowledge, continuous meetings and awareness-raising campaigns and integrating more income-generating activities. The results also suggested that park management and government authorities use their authority to decide how local communities should participate in Bale Mountains National Park management initiatives. Such a top-down approach affects the sustainability of the efforts to conserve protected areas because local stakeholders lack incentives to participate. This also leads to inadequate understanding of the complex relationships between people and protected areas they depend on and the inability to tailor management responses to specific needs and conditions. The study discussed the implications of the results for future planning and management of protected areas and forwarded recommendations for policy and future research for development directions.

Understanding local knowledge and attitudes toward potential reintroduction of a former British wetland bird

AbstractStakeholder acceptance and support is essential for long‐term success in species reintroductions, and assessing social feasibility of reintroductions within human‐occupied landscapes is an integral component of effective decision‐making.The Dalmatian pelicanPelecanus crispusis an extirpated British bird, and possible pelican reintroduction to British wetlands is under discussion. Any reintroduction planning must first assess local community awareness, attitudes, and acceptance of potential pelican arrival and associated habitat management, as part of wider socio‐ecological feasibility assessment. Pelicans are distinctive species with potential to increase support for wetland conservation, but might provoke conflict through real or perceived competition with landscape users such as fishers; such conflict is already seen within Britain between fishers and cormorants.We conducted an online survey of 590 respondents in the Somerset Levels and East Anglian Fens, Britain's largest wetland landscapes, to understand local views on pelican reintroduction, other reintroductions and wetland restoration, and to investigate correlates of varying attitudes toward coexistence with pelicans and five other waterbirds (grey heron, Eurasian bittern, little egret, common crane, great cormorant).Respondents had generally positive views about previous reintroductions of other species, and had overall positive attitudes toward all six waterbirds. Two‐thirds of respondents supported or strongly supported pelican reintroduction, but both benefits and concerns were identified in relation to its possible reintroduction. Anglers and hunters were more likely to hold negative attitudes toward pelicans, other waterbirds and wetland restoration. However, although anglers raised more concerns, they were not more likely to be unsupportive toward reintroduction. More socio‐demographic predictors were associated with negative attitudes toward restoration required to establish pelican habitat, suggesting that positive feelings toward biodiversity are outweighed by concerns around potential exclusion from local landscapes.Our findings suggest pelican reintroduction might be supported by local stakeholders. Attitudes toward cormorants do not represent a blueprint for attitudes toward pelicans, and anglers may support reintroduction if concerns around impacts to fish stocks are addressed. Community engagement for species‐specific and landscape‐scale actions require separate approaches, with landscape management planning needing to target a wider range of stakeholder groups with separate concerns to those about coexistence with pelicans.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.

Perception and attitudes of local communities towards vertebrate fauna in the Andes of Colombia: Effects of gender and the urban/rural setting

This study sought to evaluate the perception and attitudes of the inhabitants of an Andean region of Colombia towards 17 native terrestrial vertebrate species and their relationships with sociodemographic factors such as gender and locality (town or country). Data were collected through semi-structured surveys of 100 participants. Five variables measuring people's perceptions (level of liking, medicinal use, detrimental to daily activity, disease transmission, and folklore traditions) were statistically evaluated using a Likert scale ranging. To measure attitudes, respondents were asked whether they would agree that the government should protect or eradicate some of the species in the region. The respondents' level of liking and their folklore (legend and myth-type superstitions) only varied for the owl between town and country. Native rat, bat, and snake species had the highest frequency of negative perceptions among people that varied according to locality and gender, in contrast to birds such as the canary and hummingbird species where positive perceptions predominated. The species that presented the greatest diversity of folklore traditions were owl, snake, and the bat species, all mainly associated with death and bad luck. Most respondents considered conserving all species, with a preference for birds and some mammals and reptiles. However, they considered eliminating species such as native rat, snake, and bat species from the region. Wildlife conservation initiatives must understand people's perceptions for using charismatic species, while implementing awareness campaigns on the ecological importance of species that are less liked by local communities. We discussed local people's perceptions and medicinal uses of wildlife species.

Attitude of Local Communities Towards Human-Wildlife Interactions and Wildlife Conservation in the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrissur, Kerala

Attitude of Local Communities Towards Human-Wildlife Interactions and Wildlife Conservation in the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrissur, Kerala

Examining livestock depredation and the determinants of people's attitudes towards snow leopards in the Himalayas of Nepal

AbstractLivestock depredation by snow leopards Panthera uncia poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of pastoral communities and engenders negative attitudes towards the species, threatening its survival. We conducted 104 semi-structured interviews within local communities (livestock herders and owners) in the Nyesyang valley of Manang District, in the Annapurna Conservation Area, western Nepal, to assess the status of livestock depredation and community attitudes towards snow leopards. During February 2016–January 2018, respondents reportedly lost 279 livestock to snow leopards (mean loss of 1.3 livestock per household), comprising 3.7% of the total stockholding in 2018. This loss amounts to a monetary loss of USD 319 per annum for each household. Only half of the households who lost livestock to snow leopards in the previous 2 years received compensation from the Conservation Area. Almost an equal proportion of respondents held positive (42%) and negative (41%) attitudes towards snow leopards. An ordered logistic regression analysis revealed that being a woman, being illiterate, owning a high number of large-bodied livestock and relying primarily on agropastoralism were factors associated significantly with negative attitudes towards snow leopards. We recommend focusing conservation education on illiterate community members and engaging more women in conservation programmes, along with a community-based insurance scheme for large-sized livestock to mitigate losses and improve local community attitudes towards snow leopards.

Cities’ attractiveness factors from the perspective of digital nomads

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the factors of destination attractiveness in the opinion of the digital nomads. The data was obtained through a quantitative research process. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a quantitative approach. The author used a method in the form of a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire tool with a proprietary scale provided to respondents on-line (CAWI). A deliberate sample selection was used based on the self-identification criterion of the respondent as a digital nomad with experience or planning a trip in this capacity soon. Findings: In order to choose a city as a destination, digital nomads are most often guided by the price level prevailing in a given place, the level of safety, and the interesting culture and identity presented by the city. Among the factors influencing the city's attractiveness, the most important were the technological facilities, accessibility, the presence of recreational areas and facilities, and the local community's attitude towards visitors. Originality/value: This paper focuses on analyzing the specificity and features of cities from the perspective of a relatively new, dynamically growing group of external recipients - digital nomads. The developed conclusions may contribute to formulating the city's marketing messages appropriately and adapting the city's offer to the digital nomad community. In addition, this paper contains the issue of preferences regarding the size of the city and the intention to use coworking spaces. 24 Keywords: digital nomads, place marketing, cities' attractiveness factors. Category of the paper: Research paper.

The Importance of Understanding Local Community Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Nature Conservation

The Importance of Understanding Local Community Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Nature Conservation