Environmental Conservation Strategies and Community-Based Tourism Development in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5424Abstract
Community-based tourism (CBT) has gained global recognition as an ethical and practical model for aligning tourism growth with biodiversity conservation. By empowering local communities in tourism initiatives, well-implemented CBT frameworks can strengthen support for wildlife protection and the sustainable use of natural resources. However, challenges such as corruption and the marginalisation of local voices in policymaking often hinder their success. Thus, this study examined the influence of environmental conservation strategies on CBT development in three conservancies-Mara Siana, Mara Naboisho and Olarro-around the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Using a mixed-methods design guided by the Sustainable Livelihood Approach and Pimbert and Pretty's typologies of participation, the study found that environmental strategies had a significant influence on CBT development (β = 0.923, R² = 0.694). Qualitative insights emphasised persistent gaps in land-use planning and sanitation infrastructure. The study concludes that environmental conservation strategies play a crucial role in advancing community-based tourism development around the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with evidence indicating strong community support for environmental awareness efforts, sustainable material use, and visible ecological gains such as increased wildlife populations and enhanced biodiversity. The study recommends immediate investment in sanitation infrastructure through public-private partnerships or international funding with oversight from the National Environment Management Authority, implementation of integrated land-use planning frameworks that establish buffer zones and community conservancies through participatory processes, and creation of incentive structures that reward tourism operators for adopting sustainable practices in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation. Additionally, the study recommends empowering communities through formal resource management roles, technical training programs, and transparent revenue-sharing arrangements codified in Community Management Plans with published annual financial reports accessible to all members.
Keywords: Community-Based Tourism (CBT), Environmental Conservation, Sustainable Development, Wildlife Conservation, Local Participation.
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