Abstract:
In many parts of the world, the degradation of land and water resources is worsening
while the social and economic conditions of people are not being improved. Among
the reasons for this is the perception held by some that the sustainable management of
the environment and economic development are competing priorities. Economists and
social scientists concede that a causal link exists between the states of the environment
vis-à-vis the levels of income in any population, particularly for underdeveloped
and developing economies. Kenya’s chances of realizing its vision 2030 will depend
increasingly on the way the country manages its natural or nature-based assets. The
implication therefore is that the environment should not be treated as a competitor but
as a core component of the natural resource base of human and social development.
This work assessed the nature and state of the environment-poverty-tourism
relationship at Ruma National Park (RNP), Kenya. Basically, the work evaluated
how existence of the park has contributed to development and poverty reduction, or
the lack of them, for the adjacent communities. The study was based on the ideology
that hardly will local populations conserve a natural resource that they are not
benefiting from. The results revealed that despite their support for conservation of
the park and the ecosystem, the general feel within the local population is that a lot
needs to be done if the ecosystem is to be conserved sustainably. Based on the findings
of the study, the paper recommends strategies for the realization of environmental
sustainability which is the gateway to achievement of all the other UNMDGs.
