The perceived forms and drivers of forest dependence at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the perceived forms, and drivers of forest dependence at Volcanoes National Park. Using focus group interviews, we explored the perceptions of forest adjacent residents with direct access to conservation incentives, residents with no direct access to conservation incentives, and senior park managers. The paper reveals dominant forms of forest dependence, including, hunting for bushmeat, extraction of bamboo, bean-stakes, grass for cattle feed, and water for domestic use. The paper also reveals the primary drivers of forest dependence, including, food security constraints, and increase in the market demand of forest products. In addition, animal crop raiding was observed to be the main driver of food security constraints at the park. There were several notable variations in the perceptions. While residents attribute forest dependence to food security constraints, park managers attribute it to the increasing demand of forest products, resentment, stubbornness, and lack of jobs. It is argued that varied perceptions between park managers and residents could negatively affect conservation policies. Therefore, active participation of residents in all forms of wildlife conservation is strongly suggested. Several questions for future research are suggested. Notably, could conservation incentives influence increased demand of forest products, forest dependence, and biodiversity loss?

KEYWORDS:

• Forest dependence
• residents
• park managers
• biodiversity
• and livelihoods

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Great Ape Conservation Fund of the United States Fish and Wildlife Services [grant number F 12AP01121].

Notes on contributors

Ian E. Munanura

Ian E. Munanura, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. His research seeks to identify factors that affect rural household’s resilience and wellbeing, which impede the coexistence of humans and natural systems in globally important ecoregions, and the mitigation potential of tourism. He also teaches courses on sustainable tourism planning, applied experiences of ecotourism, and human ecology. His geographical area of scholarship interest is the Pacific Northwest, Southeast Asia, and East Africa.

Kenneth F. Backman

Kenneth F. Backman, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and a fellow of the Institute for Parks at Clemson University. He is the editor-in-chief of Event Management, an international journal. He also serves as associate editor on peer-reviewed editorial boards such as the Journal of Ecotourism and Tourism Analysis. His research areas of interest are sustainable community tourism development, ecotourism, international tourism development, virtual and social networking travel and events. He has conducted research in over 20 counties.

Edwin Sabuhoro

Edwin Sabuhoro, is a Ph.D. candidate in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management Department at Clemson University. He is the former Chairman of Rwanda Chamber of Tourism. He leads community outreach programs in East Africa, which engage wildlife poachers and support them to improve livelihoods through integrated and community-based human development and wildlife conservation programs.

Robert B. Powell

Robert B. Powell, Ph.D., is the George B. Hartzog, Jr. Endowed Professor in Philosophy, Parks, and Environmental Ethics in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University. He is also the Director of the Institute for Parks, which is an interdisciplinary institute focused on providing research, training, and outreach to support park and protected area management. His research and outreach program has taken him to over 40 countries and six continents and focuses on environmental education/interpretation, ecotourism, and protected area management.

Jeffrey C. Hallo

Jeffrey C. Hallo, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Clemson University’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. His research and teaching are focused on understanding, planning for, and managing visitor use in protected areas. His work has specifically focused on empirical studies of park visitors/tourists’ attitudes; nature-based recreation; carrying capacity; transportation planning; and modeling of use patterns. The intent of Jeff’s work is to help ensure that we continue to sustainably and appropriately use protected areas for public enjoyment.