Management strategies for outdoor recreation resources around the Maphelane nature reserve: a perception study

Abstract

Environmental protection and the conservation of the natural resources gained great impetus in the 1990s after the introduction of the concept of sustainable development by the integration of economic, social and environmental considerations into development activities (Lim & McAleer, 2004:1). Recreation and tourism development, as economic activities, are no exception to this process, and invariably would exert some impacts on the natural recreation resources of any tourism destination (Lim & McAleer, 2004:1).

In South Africa, the development of legislative frameworks associated with the environment, recreation and tourism have ushered in a new awareness, conception and interpretation of these fields of interest (DEAT, 1996; DEAT, 1997). Furthermore, the management of natural resources or outdoor recreation facilities in the context of responsible and sustainable tourism have been highlighted in recent studies {DEAT, 2000, 2002; Spenceley et al 2002; Spenceley, 2003; DEAT, 2006). In the context of the principles cited above, this research study seeks to investigate the management strategies in place towards promoting outdoor recreation resources in the Maphelane environment also called Maphelane-KwaMbonambi. The ultimate goal in this study is to emphasise the conservation of the natural resources and environmental services and products, as a pre-condition for optimal socio-economic development, and thereby promoting sustainable development (Neto, 2003: 212). The main purpose of this study is to provide valuable information about the natural resources and how these are perceived by the local community. In trying to meet these goals the following objectives have been formulated: (a) To find out the extent to which the Maphelane community understands the meaning and importance of outdoor recreation resources. (b) To establish the types of outdoor recreation facilities and services which are existing and available in the study area. (c) To reveal the participation patterns of the respondents in outdoor recreation facilities and activities in the study area. (d) To identify the outdoor recreation management practices that are carried out in the study area. (e) To ascertain the outdoor recreation benefits that are available for the community as well as community beneficiation.

The support of these objectives would suggest that the community of Maphelane knows and understands the value of the outdoor recreation resources, as well as appreciate the participation, management and benefits associated with the recreation resources.

The research methodology used in the analysis of the data involved usage of a sfratified sample size of 127 respondents, who were categorised in the Maphelane-KwaMbonambi area as follows: outdoor recreation officials [12], tourists [19], tour operators [ 15] and local community [81]. Data were analysed using the statistical package for the social sciences [SPSS] programme, available at the University of Zululand. The findings of the study revealed that there was a positive perception towards understanding the the meaning and importance of outdoor recreation resources. The community indicated that they participated to a less extent in outdoor recreation facihties than the tourists in the study area. The findings also indicated that recreation facilities and activities were inadequately provided and unsatisfactorily managed. The outdoor recreation management practices in the study area were found to be ineffective and inadequate for encouraging community beneficiation.

It was further discovered that, notwithstanding that the local community was aware of outdoor recreation activities and facilities in the study area, there were indirect benefits for the local community. The community members tend to be sceptical, where there are no identifiable and observable improvements in their lifestyle.

Finally, the study has offered some recommendations, mainly pertaining to the formulation of policies and strategies that seek to introduce the understanding of a conservation-based ecotourism. Some of these recommendations include: the authorities of the Maphelane-KwaMbonambi area, improving the delivery of outdoor recreation facilities; the established of a strategy for the inculcation of the respect and love for conservation in the area; encouragement of more community participation in outdoor recreation activities; improvement of accessibility of various stakeholders to recreation facilities; and initiating a range of skills development and training programmes related to outdoor recreation facilities, activities and practices in the study area.