Understanding Perceptions of Protected Area Management in Developing Countries: The Case of Nigeria National Parks

Abstract

The study aimed to understand local communities' perceptions of Nigeria National Parks and was conducted in ten per cent of the communities within 0-10km of park boundaries. Data were obtained from 10 per cent of the total household heads through questionnaire administration and were analysed with descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. A large percentage of the respondents were male; their median age was 42 years; 56.6 per cent had non-formal education; the median annual income was N7000 (US$ 43.75); and 86.9 per cent were farmers. The respondents had generally negative perceptions of park management over issues of strict protection, penalties, impact of existence of parks on their communities and exclusion from park management. Education (beta = 0.10, p<0.01), income (beta =0.12, p<0.01) and community distance from park boundary (beta = 0.31, p<0.01) were the best predictors of local communities' perceptions. There is an urgent need for a sustained policy on access to formal education in communities around Nigeria National Parks; for rural development policies that enhance income from farming and other non-farm alternative livelihood activities; for the sharing or recycling of revenue between the local communities and the parks; employment and infrastructural development; community involvement in park management and decision-making; and alternative dispute resolutions to ensure positive perceptions of the parks and other protected areas.

Mechanochemical Pretreatment for Waste‐Free Conversion of Bamboo to Simple Sugars: Utilization of Available Resources for Developing Economies

“…The present study aims to address these gaps in current understanding of the utilization of bamboo for biofuel production. Bambusa vulgaris was obtained from local sources in Nigeria [ 62 ] and subjected to ball mill treatments at lab scale for 30 and 60 min. The ball‐milled bamboo was then treated using a commercial cellulase enzyme cocktail and sugar yields were measured over time.…”