Towards sustainable community conservation in tropical savanna ecosystems: a management framework for ecotourism ventures in a changing environment

Abstract

The sustainability of ecotourism ventures under the Community Based Natural Resources Management in Zimbabwe is under stress due to environmental changes emanating from effects associated with socioeconomic factors, climate change and epidemic diseases. Using an in-depth analysis of the Mahenye ecotourism venture from the year 1982 to 2020 as a case study, this study sought to propose a management framework for ecotourism ventures in a changing environment by examining the sustainability of community conservation initiatives in Zimbabwe. Research methods included expert opinion from two natural resources governance academics, desktop research and authors' experiences about Mahenye ecotourism venture. Results indicated that the Mahenye ecotourism venture has faced significant challenges but has been resilient to withstand the shocks such as population increase, exclusion of youths and women, climate change, hyperinflation, donor fatigue, reduced international ecotourist visitation and international hunting bans emanating from socioeconomic and political environmental changes. These shocks have a negative effect on the main elements of an ecotourism venture such as the wildlife resources, amenities, attraction, accessibility, management system, marketing, beneficiaries and linkages. The management framework highlights the interventions that can be made to enable ecotourism ventures in changing environments to remain sustainable. The interventions are promoting strong community cohesion, developing sustainable self-funding mechanisms, promoting multiple sources of income, carrying targeted environmental education programs, capacity building in managing ecotourism in periods of hyperinflation, improved marketing and offering a unique experience, promoting climate smart ecotourism, promoting domestic ecotourism visits, implementing effective feedback systems among stakeholders to decrease uncertainties and lobbying to have hunting bans removed.

Ecotourism governance in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

“…It is also indicative that the coverage of governance principles across SSA is poor and needs to be improved upon in subsequent studies. All across SSA, different cases have highlighted inadequate accountability (Ondicho 2012, Pasape et al 2015, Siakwah et al 2019, Agyeman et al 2019, Mbaiwa 2015, Mudzengi et al 2020 as a drawback to the advancement of the ecotourism sector. There is also the problem of lack of transparency in the ecotourism development and the implementation phase between and amongst stakeholders (Adeleke and Nzama 2013, Kline and Slocum 2015, Osman et al 2018, Muzirambi and Mearns 2018.…”

Ecotourism Development Policy, Supporting Capacity and Development of Sustainable Tourism Facilities and Infrastructure in Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province

“…The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in lockdowns, travel restrictions, and the closing of tourist offices and enterprises. In tropical savanna ecosystems and elsewhere in the world, it is essential to develop administration systems that allow ecotourism excursions to remain adaptable in the face of shocks caused by a changing local environment (Mudzengi et al, 2021).…”

Towards Sustainable Community Conservation in Tropical Savanna Landscapes: A Management Intervention Framework for Ecotourism Projects in a Changing Global Climate

“…The Mahenye community ecotourism project was chosen as it served as one of the early models for the development of the CAMPFIRE in Zimbabwe and the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) approach in Sub-Saharan Africa [2,17], and has been able to remain resilient in the face of significant challenges throughout its operational phase [1]. Mahenye is also within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).…”

“…Tropical savanna landscapes in Sub-Saharan Africa are endowed with enormous biological and cultural diversity, however, this endowment is under increasing ecological and social challenges as exemplified by the case of the Mahenye community ecotourism project, southeast Zimbabwe [1]. The Mahenye community ecotourism project is facing innumerable challenges ranging from climate change, increasing resource demands, gender imbalances, cultural changes, socio-economic decay, global uncertainties, and health shocks such as the coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic [1][2][3][4][5]. Community ecotourism is a subtype of Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) and involves having fun while supporting the protection of natural and cultural resources.…”