通过生态旅游开发实现三湾湿地资源的可持续利用外文翻译资料

外文原文

Sustainable wetland resource utilization of Sango Bay through Eco-tourism development

Abstract

Defining and achieving sustainable development is a major issue for policy debates both in the developed and developing countries. Eco-tourism as an important niche market in the world tourism industry has been embraced by developing countries like Uganda, which are trying to use tourism as an engine of national development. It embraces environmental conservation, maintenance of biodiversity, a satisfying experience for the visitors, study and appreciation of nature and sustainable community development. Eco-tourism development is expected to achieve three major goals (3P) namely: Profits (economic), People (Social cultural benefits to communities and tourists) and Place (biodiversity conservation). Based on a research conducted in Sango Bay wetland of Rakai district in Uganda, this paper evaluates the socio-economic benefits of consumptive utilization practices of wetland resources, the recreation and Eco-tourism potential of the wetland, its sustainability and contribution to poverty reduction among the surrounding communities. Secondary data from diverse sources was used to complement primary data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) questionnaires and Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques. The results indicate dominance of consumptive resource utilization practices and the failure to reduce poverty levels. The eco-system is rich in flora and fauna which are important for eco-tourism development. Potential eco-tourism projects, which can be introduced in the wetland for sustainable resource utilization and poverty reduction, are proposed.

Key words: Ecotourism, sustainable tourism development, poverty reduction.

INTRODUCTION

Uganda is emphasizing tourism development in the National Development Plan and it accounts for 7.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 64.1% (US$449m) of the service export earnings making it the leading export earner for the country (UBOS, 2007). Because of this importance, natural resources including wetlands are being conserved for tourism development. Wetlands are no longer wastelands as they constitute complex ecological zones with a diversity of flora and fauna and act as natural sieves for storm and drainage water. They provide direct income opportunities for rural people and indirect benefits in form of environmental goods and services that improve the quality of living conditions of the rural population through water storage, purification and flood control. When harnessed correctly all these benefits go towards improvements in human development (Mohapatra, 2008; Jones, 2007; Zuo et al., 2004; Adair, 2001). Wetlands in the Lake Victoria region are experiencing rapid degradation and are, currently, considered to be some of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Due to rapid increase in human population, high levels of poverty and unemployment, increasing numbers of marginalized people are moving and settling in fragile wetland areas, adjacent to river banks and waterbeds, in search of new means of livelihood. Consequently, wetland resources are increasingly being degraded through various consumptive uses including agricultural production, sand and clay extraction, pit sawing and papyrus harvesting. This paper is a result of a study that was conceived on the realization that there is urgent need for alternative wetland resource utilization and management strategies through the propagation and promotion of ecotourism (Tourism that is nature oriented and incorporates a desire to minimize negative social and environmental impacts) as a tool for sustainable (Management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems (3P:Place-Environmental, Profit- economic, People-Social-cultural, sustainability) community development and wetland resource conservation of Sango Bay.

development and promotion of ecotourism is crucial for sustainable management and utilization of wetland resources in Sango Bay for poverty alleviation and sustainable socio-economic development. This non-consumptive utilization of wetland resources has more advantages over most forms of consumptive uses like agriculture, sand and clay harvesting as ecotourism initiatives endeavour to respect and maintain environmental integrity while at the same time improving existing social and cultural manifestations for community livelyhoods. Furthermore, ecotourism initiatives are centred on attracting small numbers of high-spending tourists willing to stay longer in a destination, thus maximising the economic benefits to the stakeholders while minimizing the negative impacts on the environment and society as a whole (Jones, 2007; Hwey-Lian et al., 2004; Pemberton and Mader, 2004; Shores, 2003).

After the introduction, the paper presents the research context, which explains the importance of ecotourism in achieving sustainable tourism development, poverty reduction and environmental conservation and the research objective. This is followed by the research methodology, which explains the methods used in data collection and analysis. The research findings and the subsequent discussion are presented together for logical flow and clarity. Finally, the paper presents the conclusions and recommendations on the way forward in the utilization of Sango Bay Wetlands in particular and Uganda in general.

Research context

Eco-tourism development, which emphasises environmental conservation, community empowerment and participation and tourist satisfaction, is increasingly becoming an important focus for sustainable national and tou

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