The Perception Of Local Frontliners On Local-Level Ecotourism Institutional Arrangement For Resource Protection In Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara Pahang
A survey was administered using questionnaires to obtain the local frontliners' opinions on ecotourism institutional arrangement for resource protection in Kuala Tahan, Taman Negara Pahang. The survey was conducted to 103 respondents comprising the personnel of the Taman Negara management an...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2005
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/6096/1/FH_2005_6.pdf |
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| Summary: | A survey was administered using questionnaires to obtain the local frontliners'
opinions on ecotourism institutional arrangement for resource protection in Kuala
Tahan, Taman Negara Pahang. The survey was conducted to 103 respondents
comprising the personnel of the Taman Negara management and local entrepreneurs,
including guides, boat operators, floating restaurants owners and chalet operators
and resort's staffs. The questionnaires cover the frontliners' perception regarding
tourism impacts on natural resources, local-level institutional arrangement, and the
socio-demographic backgrounds. Descriptive, x2 test, factor analysis, and
regression analysis were applied to analyse the data.
The results of the study showed that most of the respondent perceived the impacts of
ecotourism to be not serious. Further analysis showed that there were significant
differences in perception among the various income groups in relation to she impacts
on the resources. The results showed that there were significant differences in terms
of their perceptions on loss of ground cover plants, wildlife displacement. number of
wildlife reduced. loss of Park's resources (for example, taking of plants and rocks
for souvenirs), littering, and water pollution. Here, the frontliners who received
higher income (above RM2000) were more concerned about the resource condition.
In addition, there were significant differences between frontliners of park
management and non-park management on their perception toward impacts on
wildlife.
The results of factor analysis indicated that the local-level institutional arrangement
factors in Taman Negara as perceived by local frontliners were joint management
operation (eigenvalue of 4.399), sharing of technical skills (2.528), adoption of best
practices (2.088) and intellectual forum (1.062), which should be recognised by both
parties. Based on the eigenvalues, a conceptual framework for local-level
institutional arrangement was developed and discussed to show how different
frontliners could involve in the arrangement.
The results of regression analysis showed that socio-demographical backgrounds of
frontliners did not influent the agreement upon this institutional arrangement with
the exception of age. Older frontliners had better understanding upon the benefits of
this type of involvement or participation and able to accept this arrangement that
eventually helps to protect the park's resources. In other words, through years of
personal learning and experience in ecotourism, it is expected that the frontliners are
willing to accept this initiative in which they will gain direct benefits through the
participation of ecotourism activities. |
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