Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

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Chapter 1 - Introduction It has become increasingly evident that community development through ecotourism can fulfil a dual function. On the one hand, communities with a relatively insignificant cash economy can broaden their livelihood options through involvement in tourism. This offers community members more opportunities for development, both of infrastructure and of human resources. On the other hand, ecotourism can also contribute towards the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Tourism, and especially ecotourism, is one of the fastest growing economic sectors on a regional and global scale. This pattern of growth is being realised in southern Africa, where ecotourism is being promoted extensively, especially at the community level. Community-based ecotourism offers the potential for community empowerment. Thus, community development through ecotourism is a good opportunity to improve the local economy. 1.4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK A conceptual framework for the study was defined before the fieldwork commenced, and was based on a set of principles that are derived from several disciplines. The conceptual framework was informed by a general literature review and documentation of case studies of Community-Based Ecotourism and Natural Resource Management projects, and by the application of the theoretical principles of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) to the planned tourism development in Shewula. Ecotourism The proposed Shewula tourism development is essentially an ecotourism development. The aims of this development are well aligned to the principles underlying the Ecotourism Society's definition of ecotourism stated below: 'Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people'. 2 The Ecotourism Society expands on this broad definition of ecotourism by explaining ecotourism; '...in other words, [ecotourism] incorporates both a strong commitment to nature and a sense of social responsibility'. 3 This illustrates a sense of sustainability that will contribute to the improvement of well being of humans. This in fact is an underlying principle of development. Development assumes growth in order that there is an improvement of human welfare. Historically however, human welfare has been based on economic principles alone. Ecotourism, which is often hailed as an avenue towards sustainable development, faces many challenging realities. For example: • Fundamentally, ecotourism provides an arena for the interaction of two world views, those of the developing and the developed. This brings two sets of differing perspectives and needs into direct contact with each other, providing many opportunities for misunderstandings. • Ecotourism development, challenged with having to deal with sustainable ideology and the reality of economic poverty, highlights the complexities involved with community development. 2 Lindberg, K. (ed.) 1993: Ecotourism: A Guide for Planners and Managers. Ecotourism Society, Vermont. 3 Ibid.
Chapter 1 - Introduction • The differing perspectives of conservation and community development, invariably create dynamic tensions regarding the distribution of limited development resources. Sustainability The concept of sustainability has been debated from a range of different perspectives. This research takes on the concept of sustainability that implies '...the wise use of natural resources over generations, and not for the good of a single lifetime'. The study team takes this definition further, in that 'sustainable' implies the wise use of not only 'natural resources', but 'environmental resources', including social, natural and economic aspects. The concept of sustainability is well illustrated through looking at sustainable living. 'Sustainable livelihoods' have been defined as people's capacities to 'generate and maintain their means of living, enhance their well-being and that of future generations. These capacities are contingent upon the availability of and accessibility to options which are ecological, socio-cultural, economic and political and are predicated on equity, ownership of resources and participatory decision-making'. 5 Sustainability theory has therefore become necessary, in order that unsustainable practices of the past can be avoided in the future. Unsustainable developments are primarily based on economic growth as a measure of development. Nordberg-Hodge gives her view on current development practice: 'The one dimensional view of progress, widely favoured by economists and development experts, has helped to mask the negative impact of economic growth.... This has led to the grave misunderstanding of the situation of the majority of the world - the millions in the rural sector of the Third World - and has disguised the fact that development programmes, far from benefiting these people, have, in many cases served only to lower their standard of living'. 6 This statement clearly illustrates the fact that in the past, development has been based on economic foundations, and failed to take the social and biophysical aspects into account. The 1998 World Report on Environmental Change and Human Health states that'... economic growth alone does not guarantee human development. Wellfunctioning civil institutions, secure individual and property rights, and a broad-based health and education services are also vital to raising overall living standards'. 7 Whether environmental sustainability is achievable or not, the concept does provide us with a clear set of principles guiding development away from unsustainable practice. The following set of principles provide a framework for sustainability: • Cultural and biological diversity have value and should be protected. • Intergenerational equity: Future generations have a right to existing natural and cultural resources, therefore the present generation should ensure that the environment is maintained and/or enhanced for future generations. • A precautionary approach that undertakes a careful evaluation and assessment of risks will allow for sensible development. 4 Yeld, J. 1997: Caring for the Earth: South Africa: A guide to sustainable living, CMYK Pre-Press, Cape Town. ''Community Adaptations and sustainable livelihoods' website: 8 Norberg-Hodge, H. 1992: Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, p.xv. 7 World Resources, 1998: A Guide to the Global Environment 1998-1999: Environmental Change and Human Health. Oxford University Press, New York, p. 144.
Page 1 and 2: A Feasibility Study of the Proposed
Page 3 and 4: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would
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Chapter 3 - An Initial Assessment o
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3.5. RECOMMENDATIONS The recommenda
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4.2.2. Positive reactions At two of
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4.4. PROBLEMS This section presents
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and therefore how the benefits to t
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c) Re-establishment of game The bel
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) Indirect income generation Sugges
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Chapter 4 - Socio-Cultural Findings
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iome of these assumptions will have
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Chapter 6 - Tourism, Marketing and
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The following model was formulated
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions 7.1. INTROD
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Chapter 7 - Conclusions and well-be
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Chapter 8 • Recommendations shoul
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Chapter 8 - Recommendations 8.2.4.
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward proposa
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward Notes o
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Chapter 9 - The Way Forward communi
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References Obua, J. 1997: The Poten
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The four questions that the study t
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3. Requirements The resources that
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Outreach programme at Mlawula could
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If the tourism development site wer
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