A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Foundations of Success (FOS) finds that an ecotourism strategy based on “direct payments,” where local people are compensated for the amount of wildlife seen by tourists, has resulted in a reduction in illegal hunting and an increase in wildlife sightings.
In the study, the scientists tested a new model in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)’s Nam-Et-Phou Louey (NEPL) National Protected Area (NPA) that used a direct payment approach to encourage villagers to reduce illegal hunting and trade, which is driving wildlife decline. The model included a contractual payment to villages that was directly tied to the numbers of wildlife seen by eco-tourists as well as a reduction in payments for occurrences of hunting violations. The approach was designed to reduce illegal hunting pressure, increase wildlife sightings, and ultimately wildlife numbers, while generating ongoing economic incentives for conservation.
The scientists implemented and then monitored this approach for four years. Results indicated a three-fold increase in hunting signs in the non-tourism sector of the NPA as opposed to no increase in the ecotourism sector. Additionally, an overall increase in wildlife sightings was observed. A wide range of threatened species benefited from the program, including Sambar deer, barking deer, primates and small carnivores.
“If eco-tourism or nature tourism is going to help increase these wildlife populations, there must be a direct link between the incentives for communities and the wildlife itself, “ said Bounpheng Phoomsavath, Director of Nam Et — Phou Louey National Protected Area. “Many projects claim to be benefiting wildlife but they often lack this direct link. Villagers get benefits but the wildlife populations continue to decline. The direct links are the key to our success.”
In cases where ecotourism is used as a biodiversity conservation strategy, projects are often questioned for lack of resulting proof that threats to biodiversity have been averted or conditions for biodiversity have been improved.
“This study illustrates the importance of monitoring along a theory of change to evaluate if and how a conservation strategy is leading to expected outcomes and to inform adaptive management,” said WCS Lao PDR Deputy Country Director Dr. Santi (Joy) Saypanya.
The scientists say the case “provides key lessons on the design of a direct payments approach for an ecotourism strategy, including how to combine threat monitoring and data on wildlife sightings to evaluate strategy effectiveness, on setting rates for wildlife sightings and village fees, and the utility of the approach for protecting very rare species.”
Learn more: A Bird in the Bush Equals Money in the Hand
The Latest on: Ecotourism strategy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Ecotourism strategy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Ecotourism strategy
- Agriculture Minister Visits Rathlin Islandon July 29, 2024 at 8:27 am
The protection of our seabird population and their importance for biodiversity and ecotourism to Rathlin was the focus of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir during a ...
- Costa Rica: The Ultimate Eco-Tourism Destinationon July 27, 2024 at 8:36 am
Despite its relatively small size, Costa Rica is home to an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity, representing around 6% of the world's biodiversity.
- Inside Sharjah’s $2.75bn eco-tourism driveon July 25, 2024 at 9:40 pm
A green revolution is quietly unfolding in Sharjah as the emirate attracts record FDI and bets big on eco-tourism ...
- Marcos put emphasis on ‘experiential tourism’ for industry growthon July 22, 2024 at 6:33 am
While promoting experiential tourism is not new and has been previously pushed through an international video campaign dubbed “Experience Philippines” in 2017, the DOT under Tourism Secretary Frasco ...
- FPJ 96th Anniversary: Ecotourism In Maharashtra Promotes Sustainability, Biodiversity, And Cultural Heritageon July 19, 2024 at 1:52 am
Ecotourism in Maharashtra offers diverse experiences ... Zero wastage tourism practices aim to minimise environmental impact by adopting strategies that eliminate or reduce waste throughout the ...
- Sustaining paradise: Ecotourism seen as way forwardon July 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
These efforts are integral to Fiji’s ecotourism strategy, attracting divers, snorkelers and nature enthusiasts from around the globe. By prioritizing the health of its marine ecosystems ...
- Ba’ Kelalan Ecotourism Workshop With FORMADATon July 10, 2024 at 3:21 am
Ba’ Kelalan is identified as the first area of focus in the ecotourism strategy of FORMADAT and WWF-Malaysia. The workshop was organized to identify existing ecotourism products in the villages, ...
- As ecotourism grows in Maine, so does the desire to maintain Downeast’s wild characteron July 8, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Maine’s comprehensive outdoor recreation plan details a four-year strategy for protecting the environment while promoting ecotourism, with one goal being to “draw on (the) region’s unique ...
- As ecotourism grows, so does the desire to maintain Down East’s wild characteron July 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Maine’s comprehensive outdoor recreation plan details a four-year strategy for protecting the environment while promoting ecotourism, with one goal being to “draw on (the) region’s unique ...
- As ecotourism grows, so does the desire to maintain Down East Maine’s wild characteron July 6, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Maine’s comprehensive outdoor recreation plan details a four-year strategy for protecting the environment while promoting ecotourism, with one goal being to “draw on (the) region’s unique ...
via Bing News
