Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
The study
was conducted to investigate the perception of ecological tourism in
Gashakagumti National Park. Data collection involves the use of multi-stage
technique and random sampling method. Twenty, 20 communities where selected
from the support zone of the National Park. Structured questionnaires were used
to obtain primary data while journal, proceedings, text, brochure and manuals
were used to collect information for secondary data. The Data generated were
analyzed using the descriptive statistics such as, tables, mean, percentages
and charts. A total of one thousand four hundred and eighty-six (1486)
respondent was randomly selected for the purpose of this study. Out of this
figure a total of 1207 (81.2%) respondents were aware of the ecological tourism
in the park. 909 (61.2%) Indicated support for the ecological tourism in the
park while 294 (19.8%) were not in support. The reason for the support towards ecological tourism in the park was
topped by provision of local source of income with 361 (22.1 %) respondents
followed by employment opportunities 303 (18.5 %), Education of tourist and
locals 215 (13.1 %), Improved
infrastructures 151 (9.2 %), Revenue generation 137 (8.4 %), Habitat
preservation 109 (6.7 %), Platform for
cultural exchange 73 (4.5 %), improved standard of living 61 (3.7%), cultural
preservation 54(3.3 %), Development of other income stream 41(2.5 %),
Maintenance of site of attraction 38 (2.3%), conservation of biodiversity 31
(1.9 %), waste management, 26 (1.6 %),
and the least is mitigating climatic change 20 (1.2 %). No response stood at 15 (0.9 %).
On the other side the reason for nonsupport
towards ecological tourism in the park was topped by noninvolvement of the local communities on
conservation matters with 172 (31.3 %) respondents
followed by commercialization of cultural practices 93 (16.9 %), then change of
family value 71 (12.9 %), insufficient infrastructure 68 (12.4 %), insecurity
41 (7.5 %), Environmental degradation 35 (6.4%), increased cost of living 21
(3.8 %), Drug abuse 20 (3.6 %) prostitution 12 (2.2 %) with alcohol consumption
as the least with 8 (1.5 %). No response
stood at 9 (1.6 %). It is recommended that the federal government should
allocate more funds for the execution of developmental project in the park with
her support communities and intensify efforts to bring to an end the insecurity
in the area. The park should enhance it effort in conservation education
program to enable all residence of the support group zone area aware of
ecological tourism. The local communities being stake holders should be involve
in the management of the ecological tourism in the park. The park authority
should collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide
sustainable means of livelihood in the field of tourism, trade and agriculture
in the support zone communities.
Country : Nigeria
IRJIET, Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2024 pp. 242-247