Synergy between protected conservation areas and community development : the case of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa

Abstract

Community Based Conservation (CBC) is an approach that started in the 1980’s due to protests and clashes between conservation bodies and local neighbouring communities because of attempts to only protect environmental biodiversity without attending to the social needs of communities. The objective of CBC is to improve the lives of local people, while at the same time also conserve protected areas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the socio-economic achievements of the CBC programme implemented in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal to two neighbouring communities (Hlabisa and Mpukunyoni) and to what degree these two communities participated in the implementation of the programme. The study used qualitative as well as quantitative research methods for collecting data. The respondents include key informants of HiP responsible for the implementation and coordination of the CBC programme as well as 208 randomly selected respondents in the two selected communities adjacent to the Park. The data was analysed to provide descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Due to the high unemployment rate in both communities (72%), respondents perceived pension (37%) and social grants (35%) to be the main sources of monthly household income. Although many of the youth finished secondary school level, very few secure employment opportunities in the area. Therefore, many respondents perceived HiP as a potential source for direct job opportunities through ecotourism. The reality is that only a very small percentage (9%) of the respondents were employed by HiP as game rangers or security staff, although small business opportunities like Vukuzame and Vulamehlo curio markets were created by HiP at their entrance gates where community members received opportunities to trade curio, firewood and other art articles free of charge. Three sub CBC programmes are currently employed in HiP, namely the Rhino Ambassadors Programme, Sifundimvelo Environmental Education Programme and the Ezemvelo RBM Cup Programme. The study revealed that in general community members were poorly informed, as only 23% knew about the existence of these programmes. The discrepancy between what respondents revealed and what officials from HiP reflected about communities’ awareness and existence of programmes is worrisome and applied are not effective for general awareness raising of adjacent community members, especially not to inform the great number of youth residing in the area. The views of community members regarding economic and social benefits spill over were detected. The main economic benefits perceived were direct job opportunities as generated through HiP, participation in the Expanded Public Works Programme (specifically Working for Water), opportunities to participate in small business ventures like curio markets and offering of accommodation to tourists, and the impact of the Community Levy Trust Fund. Social benefits by neighbouring communities include the impact of the CBC sub programmes on school children and youth. Some of the concerns raised included the fact that community members are not allowed to collect firewood, medicinal plants or hunt or let their livestock graze inside the Park. Recommendations with the planning and implementation of CBC programmes included to ensure that community aspirations and needs should be taken fully into consideration with the design of CBC programmes, as this affects their immediate lives. Secondly the process of implementation should be transparent and current communication channels should be revised as it leads to miscommunication and scepticism about Park management.