Ecology and Natural Resource Development in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Issues in Natural Resource Management: Issues in Natural Resource Management

Chapter Seven. Ecological Planning and the Potential for the Development of Ecotourism in Kimbi Game Reserve, Cameroon

Chapter Seven Ecological Planning and the Potential for the Development of Ecotourism in Kimbi Game Reserve, Cameroon Summary Game reserves and other protected areas are potential areas for the development of ecotourism because of their biodiversity, landscapes and cultural heritage of local or indigenous people. This study investigates the environmental sustainability of game reserves using a sample of the Kimbi Game Reserve. It assesses the potentials of the reserve for the development of ecotourism by employing a combination of field observation, examination, data collection and evaluation, using a SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis determines opportunities and threats, and strategic suggestions for ecological planning. The study determines usage potential and the types of ecotourism feasible for development, and appraises the current management strategies. It concludes that ill-adapted strategies are bound to fail in promoting ecotourism, attaining sustainable landscapes and livelihoods. The Kimbi Game Reserve has major economic potential for ecotourism which can be realized by integrating the cultural values, livelihoods and environmental awareness of local people in tourism development. Finally, the paper recommends that in this process, government organizations, universities and research institutions must interact sufficiently in order to develop the potential of interest to ecotourism, ecocultural tourism and scientific tourism. Introduction The main focus of most interpretations of sustainable development is the reorientation of understanding society in relation to nature (Redclift, 2000). Even though this focus does not necessarily imply such an outcome, most implementation of sustainability has been satisfied with the integration of environmentally sound practices and policies into development programmes and projects (Chifos, 2006; Lele, 1991). Building on the foundation of increasing 126 Ecology and Natural Resource Development in the Western Highlands of Cameroon environmental awareness, interpretation of economic development as integral to environmental and social systems has gained momentum and has been expressed in a variety of ways, such as redesign of economic processes to work with nature instead of against it (McDonought and Braungart, 2002) or rethinking the linkages among livelihood strategies, poverty alleviation and environment (Chambers, 1992; Neefjes, 2000). Thus, the physical and biological, environmental and economic components of the world system are firmly ingrained in the interpretation and operationalisation of sustainable development. Protected areas in several countries have been damaged when important ecological aspects of such areas have not been considered. In these areas, plans based on ecological data are needed for land use planning, improvement and development (Jurgen, 1993). In most developing countries the purpose of protected areas is to conserve biodiversity and so have failed to recognize the realities of their local socio-cultural and economic environments (Ndenecho, 2007). According to Ndenecho (2005) they must protect the cultural, natural and traditional activities of people against the consequences of rapid progress. Effective plans need to conduct all relevant biological, social, physical and economic factors and focus on important resources affecting the ecological integrity of the areas (Sanderson et al., 2002; Gengiz, 2006). Several studies conducted in protected areas have focused on ecotourism or nature tourism as a form of sustainable tourism (Poiani et al., 1998; Daniel et al., 2005). Recently, research has focused on how protection of local ethnicity can be achieved without impacting on the life of local people by linking social life and environmental protection (Barkin, 1996; Gregory, 2005). Ecotourism has been suggested as a key to sustainable development of protected areas (Barkin, 1996). It provides investment for tourism and enhances the living standards of local people by providing opportunities for employment. Cultural investments, such as historic preservation or dissemination of traditional skills, can also work to provide economic benefits while preserving connectivity with the past (Chifos, 2006), that is, it is nurtured and disseminated as poverty is alleviated. The general trend in ecotourism is to increase experiences by encouraging activities such as long-distance walking, camping, boating, hunting, sight-seeing, swimming, cultural activities, 127 Ecological Planning and the Potential for the Development of Ecotourism in Kimbi Game Reserve bicycling, observing wildlife and nature, skiing, visiting historical places, and horse riding among others. Generally, instructive activities, for example, wildlife observation, participation in festivals, cultural activities and nature landscapes, attract most attention (Gengiz, 2007). In this study, the potential for the sustainable development of ecotourism is assessed in a sample of the Kimbi Game Reserve and the adjacent rural communities. This reserve is rich in biological, geographical and cultural values that are yet to be fully developed to attract local people and foreign tourists. The study was designed to...