Using Cultural Resources in Host Communities and the Environs to Enhance the Natural Resources Attractiveness of Ecotourism Development in Omo Biosphere Reserve (OBR), Nigeria

Abstract

The study was undertaken to evaluate the cultural resources in Omo Biosphere Reserve (OBR) host communities and its environs that can enhance the attractiveness of ecotourism development which can ultimately lead to the sustainable development of the area. OBR is in waterside area of Ogun State, Nigeria. It is a UNESCO designated Man and Biosphere (MAB) site. OBR natural resources has been under threat of overexploitation in the last few decades and hence the need to sustainably conserve and protect these resources using ecotourism. Fauna direct sighting particularly the large mammals like the forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) and others have been rare although their presence have been established. Interview and direct observation methods were used to collect primary data. Data collected were analysed and presented in tables. The result showed that there were significant festivals in OBR environs that can attract visitors to OBR. The study identified the incorporation of festivals in the OBR as added attractiveness for the natural resources in OBR in its ecotourism development. Development of ecotourism will not only conserve the endangered fauna and flora species of Omo Biosphere Reserve but will also provide additional income and job opportunities for the communities and will equally ensure peaceful co-existence of the people.

Trend of conflict between community livelihoods and nature reserves:Based on the intergenerational differences of rural households’ natural resource utilization behavior

“…对自身资源利用行为产生重要影响 [7] 。伴随保护区 建立实施的生态补偿制度 [35] 、 开展的生态旅游经营 活动 [36] 以及保护区发展项目 [37] 给周边农户带来了可 观的直接经济利益， 有效地缓解了保护区与社区冲 突。然而， 保护区周边农户面临的保护成本和约束 不应被忽视。部分保护区周边农户的保护成本收 益感知存在一定程度的失衡， 自然资源利用的限 制、 权属不清造成的失地问题以及野生动物致害带 来的损失使农户承担着巨大的保护成本， 却很少得 到相应足够补偿 [38,39] ， 这些导致了保护区与社区关 系的紧张。 不同代际农户感知的保护成本收益可能存在 差异。一方面， 相较于新生代和中生代， 老一代农 户由于更多从事传统的农林业生产活动， 受保护管 制政策的影响更大， 因而面临较大的保护成本 [40] 。 另一方面， 新生代农户受教育程度、 环境适应能力、 信息获取能力及风险偏好相比中生代和老一代更 高， 这些人力资本优势使其更有可能从生态旅游及 保护发展项目中获益 [41]…”