Research Outputs (Environmental Sciences)
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Item Engendering Community Support for Conservation: A Case Study of Kekana Gardens Community and Dinokeng Game Reserve, South Africa(Journal of Asian and African Studies, 2022) Queiros, Dorothy; Mearns, KevinSuccessful conservation in Africa hinges on the perceptions of communities bordering protected areas. It is therefore vital for protected area stakeholders to know the perceptions of neighbouring communities in order to determine the factors that generate or undermine community support for conservation, so that appropriate management interventions can be implemented. Numerous studies consider benefits, but less relate to perceptions regarding both losses/costs and intangible benefits. This paper demonstrates a methodology with which to determine these factors, focusing on Kekana Gardens community, bordering Dinokeng Game Reserve, in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This qualitative study with 13 residents utilised focus group interviews and adapted nominal grouping technique. Six themes emerged, four of which comprise intangible benefits. This methodology can be applied to any community bordering a conservation area, assisting in crafting solutions that benefit both people and parks.Item Improving positivity towards nature conservation in communities bordering protected areas in South Africa(2021) Queiros, DorothyBenefit sharing refers to benefits emanating from natural protected areas to neighbouring communities. These benefits are often derived from the tourism ventures within these areas and should improve the socio-economic environment of communities. In the South African context, beneficiation appears to be a key influence in encouraging communities to support conservation efforts, rather than desiring the land for alternative uses. While numerous studies have been done on the necessity of benefits, less research has focused on which benefits improve positivity towards nature conservation. This is surprising considering how important this knowledge is to community wellbeing and a thriving wildlife tourism industry. This paper therefore aims to determine which benefits, in addition to those already present, would make local communities more positive towards neighbouring protected areas. Data was collected at three local communities, each bordering a protected area containing a tourism venture – Kekana Gardens community (Dinokeng Game Reserve); Khanyayo community (Mkhambathi Nature Reserve) and Mnqobokazi community (Phinda Private Game Reserve). Participants were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Qualitative data was gathered using focus group interviews with 56 community members. The paper first discusses the main findings from each case, followed by cross-case analysis. Employment was common across all three. At Dinokeng, locals clearly requested information, education, involvement and the meeting of basic needs. For Mkhambathi, much was said about development and infrastructure being vital for locals and tourists. The desire to be informed of and involved in the reserve also emerged. For Phinda, which has the most developed community beneficiation programmes, locals had less to say. They focused on education, particularly infrastructure (colleges and schools) and education (bursaries and nature conservation training). The paper ends by providing recommendations regarding what tourism and protected area managers can do differently in future to enhance community wellbeing and the continuance of Africa’s wild spaces.Item Towards Blue Flag status: Current conservation-related plans and recommendations for Eastern Beach in East London, South Africa, by public and private stakeholders(Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2021) Sayedwa, Ntuthuzelo Headman; Queiros, DorothyThe Blue Flag award has become a prevalent tool for beach management worldwide. It applies environmental law and focuses on sustainable management of urban beaches. The literature reveals that Blue Flag beaches grant visitors’ assurance of compliance with approved international standards of safety, quality and acceptable user regulations. South Africa was accorded accreditation rights 20 years ago, to pursue this status as a sustainable ecological approach. Yet, a research gap exists with fragmented environmental legislation and policies, which continue to afflict certain regions, such as Eastern Beach in the Eastern Cape. The intensity of negative environmental impacts has caused deterioration of coastal conditions, fuelled by open sewage disposal, illegal littering and lack of environmental compliance. This has complicated conservation efforts and reached a critical stage, requiring urgent attention to eco-friendly and optimal management plans. This paper therefore aims to determine current conservation-related plans and recommendations to move Eastern Beach towards Blue Flag status. This empirical research followed a qualitative approach via virtual semi-structured interviews with twenty participants, who were tourism public and private stakeholders. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that organisations are involved in planning and management of land activities to achieve Blue Flag status and are promoting environmental awareness amongst the public. The majority of participants felt that the status would improve the quality of the water, beach-front and environmental education and training. Current conservation-related plans include infrastructural development, such as sewage pipe replacement and environmental cleaning campaigns. Participants highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration on conservation initiatives; management of pollution and land activities; and public awareness and voluntary conservation initiatives. A proper needs analysis and the creation of environmental guidelines were also recommended. Findings provide guidance to stakeholders towards attaining the status, which can have positive socio-economic and ecological impacts on Eastern Beach and its surroundings.Item Stakeholder Challenges Impeding Attainment of Blue Flag Status at Eastern Beach in East London, South Africa(African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 2022) Sayedwa, Ntuthuzelo Headman; Queiros, DorothyThis research explores the challenges faced by public and private stakeholders at Eastern Beach in East London, that are preventing attainment of Blue Flag status. Blue Flag beaches are a major tourism drawcard, yet the Eastern Cape province of South Africa is facing obstacles that impede achievement of this ecolabel. To investigate this, the paper focuses on Eastern beach. Twenty public and private stakeholders involved in coastal planning and management in East London participated in individual virtual semi-structured interviews. Through thematic analysis, key themes were identified. Findings indicate that public control, safety and security as well as infrastructure are key challenges. Environmental management also requires attention as several negative impacts prevail. Furthermore, the need for concerted stakeholder coordination in the drive toward Blue Flag status emerged as a necessity. Considering the potential of Eastern Beach, it would be favourable to East London to have this beach accredited. It would enhance sustainable tourism development with its positive economic, social and environmental impacts. The identification of the challenges can assist stakeholders in moving towards this status. These findings could also apply to managers at other beaches that are aiming to attain, maintain or regain Blue Flag accreditation.Item People Parks Win-Win Framework: Integrating components that can influence people-park relationships(AOSIS, 2022) Queiros, DorothyProtected areas are often surrounded by impoverished communities. Biodiversity must be conserved while improving community well-being. Greater insight is required into what influences pro-conservation attitudes and behaviour in these communities. Much appears to rest on the relationships between protected area staff and local communities surrounding the parks, yet there is limited understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions and how to pragmatically achieve win-win solutions. With the current lack of a multidimensional framework to enhance understanding of this complex and dynamic relationships, this research aimed to construct a comprehensive integrated framework representing the components that can influence people-park relationships. The framework was constructed via a threefold approach, namely a broader literature review, a focused study of existing schemata and primary research regarding the attitudes and behaviour of three local communities bordering three different protected areas in South Africa. The resultant People Parks Win-Win Framework consists of four layers (each with its own components): ‘External context’, ‘Stakeholders’, ‘Community beneficiation’ and ‘Outputs’. Its unique arrangement focuses on beneficiation, inclusion of more stakeholders and their characteristics, the centrality of relationships and demonstration of outputs (how preceding layers can culminate in win-wins and how pro-conservation attitudes and behaviour fit into this). A simplified framework is also provided, for stakeholders to superimpose their own characteristics, benefits, influences and beneficiation principles. This research draws on the work of others as well as primary research to produce this multidimensional framework capturing the influences on people-park relationships with a focus on achieving both community well-being and biodiversity conservation. Conservation implications: Win-wins for community well-being and biodiversity conservation are complex. Yet potential exists for tangible and intangible beneficiation, which can foster positive attitudes resulting in pro-conservation behaviour and robust reciprocate relationships between parks and neighbouring communities. To this end, the framework serves as a practical tool for protected area managers and stakeholders involved in the people-park relationships, which can be customised to particular contexts.