Perception on Ecological Tourism in Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria

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.