Perceptions of local residents and authorities on human–wildlife coexistence in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mudimba, Talent , Tichaawa, Tembi M.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Human–wildlife conflicts , Human–wildlife coexistence , Sustainable conservation tourism
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/396255 , uj:32892 , Citation: Mudimba, T. & Tichaawa, T.M. 2019. Perceptions of local residents and authorities on human–wildlife coexistence in Zimbabwe. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(4):1-17. , ISSN: 2223-814X
- Description: Abstract: Human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs) in human–wildlife coexisting communities have emerged as a direct impediment to sustainable conservation tourism in the protected areas (PAs). Despite the overemphasised prospects for conservation tourism redeeming worn-out economies in the human–wildlife coexisting communities, the resurgence of HWCs has resulted in the host communities’ resistance to human–wildlife coexistence (HWC). Subsequently, the community resistance to coexistence is a further deterrent to sustainable conservation tourism development. Based on the Victoria Falls case, this paper seeks to investigate HWCs affecting tourism development in human–wildlife coexisting communities, with the subsequent aim of suggesting policy and recommendations that promote symbiosis for sustainable tourism in terms of the communities residing in Zimbabwean PAs. Surveys and interviews were conducted with 265 household resource-related persons. The findings revealed that human population growth and urbanisation contribute significantly to HWCs in Victoria Falls. Furthermore, the results show that, despite the existing HWCs, the majority of the residents are open to HWC, if the processes of policy formulation and implementation inclusively embrace full local residents’ participation.
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Wildlife use versus local gain : the reciprocity of Conservation and Wildlife Tourism in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mudimba, Talent
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Sustainable conservation tourism , Cost-versus-gain , Human–wildlife coexistence
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/426046 , uj:36500 , Mudimba, T. (2020). Wildlife Use Versus Local Gain: The Reciprocity of Conservation and Wildlife Tourism in Zimbabwe. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 9(3): 259-273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720-17
- Description: Abstract: This study examined wildlife use versus local community gain in Protected Areas of Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe. Specifically, the study explored the reciprocity of conservation and wildlife tourism in Victoria Falls to determine the cost-benefit of Human Wild Coexistence within conservation goals and local communities’ welfare paradigms. To fulfil the key objective, the study gathered data from 365 local residents, which was supplemented with interviews from key resource persons. The study found that host communities in PAs are substantially still marginalised, and this exclusionary approach has resulted in increased local residents’ negative attitudes towards conservation tourism, making them (locals) to view tourism as insignificant in their local economy mainstreams. Nonetheless, conservation tourism has the potential to develop sustainably in PAs if there are transparency, accountability and renewed cooperation among all the tourism stakeholders who are involved in the decisionmaking processes. Concepts that provide new directions for public policy for inclusive participation, environmental justice and sustainability are highly contested in the study.
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