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ISSN 1108-8931 |
INTERNATIONAL ECOTOURISM MONTHLY |
Year 4, Issue 47, Apr. 2003 |
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The
Expert The Expert
showcases the knowledge of our Expert
Members who volunteer free advice on their topic of expertise. In this issue: |
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ASSESSMENT OF ECOTOURISM POTENTIAL OF YANKARI NATIONAL PARK NIGERIA. INTRODUCTION. The Yankari National Park located in Bauchi State, Nigeria, is perhaps the most popular eco-destination in West Africa sub-region (Olokesusi 1990). The park is famous for its diverse large mammal populations, birds, springs, ethno-historical and archeological sites. The park is one of the most important refuges in Nigeria for certain antelope species including Roan Antelope, Western Hartebeest and Waterbuck. Above all, the elephant population of Yankari National Part is recognized as being among the largest in West Africa and is by far the largest district population in Nigeria (Ubaru, 2000). The park established by decree 36 of 1991, is the most popular tourist attraction among Nigerians. It is one of the few places where ecotourist are guaranteed of seeing diverse and varied wildlife species at most times of the year (Odunlami, 2000) Its importance as an insight into how large areas of the North African savanna use to be is crucial and increasingly unique. The park is the premier nature tourism destination in Nigeria and plays crucial role in the development and promotion of tourism and ecotourism in particular in Nigeria (Odunlami, 2000) LOCATION. Yankari National Park occupies an area of about 2244 sq.km. The Park is centered at 9.50'N and 10.30'E in the south-central area of Bauchi State in Northeastern Nigeria, in the southern portion of the Sudan Savanna Zone. Access to the Park is gained mainly through a paved road branching off the Federal high way leading to Gombe from Bauchi at the small village of Dindima on the bank of Gongola river. The Parks main entrance is at mainamaji village, about 29km from Dindima. The basin of the Gaji river and its tributaries is the only water shed in the park. Elephants and other animals depend on this water especially in the dry season for survival. The area of the Gaji River Valley used by elephants in the dry season was estimated by Marshal (1985) as about 40 sq.km. Dry season in Yankari National Park has been known to begin around November and lasts until May with March and April hot. Rains sometimes start in late April (Ubaru, 2000) GEOLOGY The park is almost entirely underlain by the Kerri formation of tertiary age composed of sandstone, silt stones, kaolinites and grits. This in turn is underlain by the Gombe formation of Cretaceous age composed of sandstones, silt stones, and ironstones. The vallegs of the Gaji, Yashi and Yuli Rivers are filled with Alluvium of recent age. Sandy loans and clayey soils of riverine alluvium occur in the valley of the Gaji Yashi and Yuli Rivers East of the Gaji valley is 5-7km wide band of very poor sandy soils that support a shrub savanna formation (Ubaru 2000) HISTORY. Bauchi is said to be derived from the name of a hunter, Baushe a famous hunder who hunted in the area. Bauchi was provincial Headquarters of Bauchi province with Divisional Headquarter at Azare, Gombe and Bauchi town. Yankari National Park in Bauchi State existed as an unpopulated Island of well developed Savanna woodland, largely surrounded by more open country heavily utilized and modified by farmers and pastoralists. This occupancy is composed of peripheral villages originally founded by hunters. There have been no settlements within the reserve for more than 100 years. However, there are evidence of some earlier human settlements from Mainamaji towards Wikki camp. At Dukkey, a site of about 6.41km from the boundary in the north western part of the reserve, is evidence of a former settlement of any size. There exist at Dukkey elaborate system of water catchment and storage devised by the former inhabitants. The Wikki camp location also may have been a settlement at one time, as indicated by the presence of baobab tree (Adansonia digitata).
And so the work began, first with the demolition of unwanted farm buildings and structures (some were retained for use as Park offices), the removal of hundreds of kilometres of fencing, and eradication of vast tracts of alien vegetation. A 150km game-proof fence was erected – now electrified to prevent the escape of elephants and large predators. Then came the animals: family groups of elephants from Ghonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe (never attempted previously as only the calves and sub-adults were considered to be manageable); disease-free buffalo from around the world; Painted Hunting Dogs (more commonly called "African Wild Dogs") from breeding stations for endangered species. Rhino, cheetah, oryx, springbuck and, ultimately…lion. And they have thrived. Madikwe’s plains and open woodlands, rugged hills and scattered rock outcrops provide a magnificent backdrop for South Africa’s second largest elephant population; Kruger National Park has more, but at a much lower density. The reintroduction of wild dogs, too, has been a notable success after initial fatalities caused by rabies contracted from domestic dogs in the surrounding area. Today as much as half the visitors report sightings on game drives and walks. Not to forget birds – 300 species have been recorded.
Visitors are not permitted to explore the reserve in their own vehicles, partly because the elephants are somewhat aggressive (having been exposed to poaching and then the trauma of relocation) but mainly because the roads are suitable only for 4x4 vehicles. Whatever inconvenience this may be for some is offset by the assurance that guests staying in the reserve’s lodges can look forward to the personalised wildlife experience found otherwise only in private reserves. Most of the Madikwe lodges cater for a limited number (16 max) of guests who are in search of luxury and more than the home comforts while "on safari", but there are a few catering (and priced" for simpler tastes. Plus one bush camp which provides just the basics, but also a true and unforgettable African bush experience. Abundant wildlife, ruggedly beautiful scenery, a superb climate and the absence of malaria make Madikwe one of the country’s premier nature sanctuaries. Well worth a visit!
With regard to Dubai City itself, one is reminded of that interesting question: Is there such a thing as urban ecotourism? Rachel Dodds (also an ECOCLUB expert that you have approached) has proven that there is, through her experience in the City of Toronto. Rachel and I are cooperating on another project at the moment in the Dominican Republic (as part of a multi-disciplinary team) and discussed your enquiry. We agreed that it may be interesting for you to have a combined response from the two of us. If we talk about the situation in Dubai as being one in which the aim is to develop tourism in an environmentally friendly way and work with the natural assets of the area by way of a sustainable symbiotic relationship, you will be able to define a successful ecotourism model. The big question is: How does one translate these wonderful ideals into practical (and profitable) realities? An integrated approach is required. One needs to combine sound environmental impact analysis, monitoring and management, sensitive physical planning, good business practice and appropriate marketing. It is recommended to begin by carrying out an assessment of the situation in Dubai and its surroundings in order to identify problems and opportunities in relation to the above parameters. Once this has been done, you will have a clearer picture as to specific activities and projects to promote in order to achieve you objectives. The required work will need to include the following: ·Preparation of an inventory of natural assets with tourism potential. · Assessment of the stability and sustainability of existing tourism development, including infrastructure works. · Examination of current and future environmental management programs at the local and regional levels. · Assessment of the potential market for ecotourism and related products. · Preparation of a number of development scenarios as a basis for further action. These kinds of studies are best carried out by experienced professionals working together as a multi-disciplinary team. Most importantly, the team needs to be able to work opposite enthusiastic, committed and responsive local leaders, individuals and institutions for the efforts to bear fruit. If you have the resources available, you could invite such a team to come to Dubai for an exploratory visit and to carry out an initial preliminary assessment of the situation, with a view to going on to develop a more substantial work program.
Ed. Following reports that 'dolphins were used in the Iraq war', Athens' 'Skai 100.3' Radio hosted our Expert Member, Professor Aimilia Drougas, an expert in marine mammals, on March 30th, to find out if that story was true. Apparently it is, and it is also one more example of the increasingly imaginative ways in which homo 'sapiens' use nature in order to destroy their kind. Please find a brief summary below: It is estimated that around 2,000 dolphins have been trained as 'scouts', 'engineers', and even as 'kamikaze', during the last 40 years, mainly by the Americans and the Russians, nowadays aped (pun intended) by up to a dozen countries. Dolphins, to their detriment, have a natural ability to spot a mine or a metallic object even if that is buried 1.5 metres beneath a sandy or muddy seabed. Dolphins have been trained to assist divers, to fetch tools to underwater engineers, but also to locate and destroy enemy divers and to attach mines on underwater targets. In more recent years, their training has reached new 'heights' as it is alleged that they are now trained as marines to parachute down from 3,000 metres!. Dolphins were first used in a war, in Vietnam in 1970, and later in the first Gulf war. The dolphins are controlled and notify their masters through sensors that are in a collar implanted under their skin in their throat, any variation is transmitted to a computer. Undisciplined dolphins are 'punished'. In May 2002, 22 dolphins were beached in the Mediterranean shores of France, with a peculiar hole in their necks, indicating that they had 'misbehaved' and that their masters made their implant explode.
Ed. Recently, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida stated it's impossible to believe that "with the modern technology available, we don't have a more effective or more humane way to find mines". Our question to all concerned is: Is there any international law (Geneva Convention?) that forbids the use of animals in warfare? |
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This article examines the varied and rich ecotourism potential of
the Yankari National Park, identifying among other things,
the rich wildlife resources (which consist of over 50 mammalian
species and 350 avifauna species), springs, historical and
ethno-historical features, as well as facilities for tourists in the
park. The role of Yankari National Park in the development and
promotion of ecotourism and, indeed tourism in general, in Nigeria is
very significant. The park hosted over 20,000 tourists from over 100
countries in 2000 alone. If the park is properly managed, it can
become a powerful tool for the preservation and conservation of its
endowed ethno-historical and natural resources of touristic
significance with favourable impacts on the local communities while
offering thousands of ecotourists a wide range of recreational
activities.
Read the whole article
at 
Tucked against South Africa’s border with Botswana, the Madikwe
Game Reserve is distinguished for two notable triumphs: it is one of
the first nature sanctuaries to be proclaimed purely on the grounds of
this being the most appropriate sustainable land use for an area, and
it is the fruit of the largest wildlife restocking and translocation
project ever undertaken – Operation Phoenix – which involved the
reintroduction of 10 000 animals into habitat where they had occurred
naturally in time gone by. Prior to its proclamation in the early 1990’s, the 75 000 hectare
area was marginal and badly degraded private farmland which the State
purchased with the intention of providing agricultural opportunities
for emergent farmers from impoverished local communities. Low rainfall
and other factors identified in intensive studies ultimately led to
the conclusion that wildlife-based tourism presented the best option
for the long term.
From the outset Madikwe has operated as a joint venture between the
State, the private sector and the local community. Government, through
the Northwest Parks Board, purchased the land, established the basic
infrastructure, and is responsible for overall Reserve and wildlife
management. Private enterprise has put up capital to build tourist
lodges and operate tourism services. The local community benefits from
employment in infrastructural projects and at the lodges, supplies
vegetables and firewood, and also earns a percentage on Park entrance
fees, lodge concessions and other income. A model now adopted for many
similar ventures elsewhere. What makes Madikwe especially attractive to the tourist is that
this chunk of African bush (and everything in it) is within a
four-hour drive from Johannesburg (Kruger Park is more like six) –
and it is malaria-free.
The region may not be experiencing the best conditions for tourism
just now but that should not stop planning for tomorrow! Dubai offers fascinating challenges for development according to
the principles of ecotourism. It probably requires a unique definition
for this special location that combines a relatively large population
in a limited land area, including urban, semi-urban, marine and desert
landscapes. The natural assets of the area of course also overlap with
population concentrations. On the one hand, these concentrations
represent an environmental problem while on the other hand; it is also
very much an economic opportunity.