Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Editors: Bill Bramwell (Sheffield Hallam University) and Bernard Lane (Visiting Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University)
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Volume: 5 Number: 3 Page: 213–223
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Environmental Impact of Ecotourism in Kibale National Park, Uganda
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J. Obua
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A study was carried out in Kibale National Park in Uganda to assess the impacts of recreation on camping sites and nature trails in the wet and dry seasons. Nine physical parameters were examined at nine
camping sites and four parameters on nature trails. All camping sites experienced more or less similar degradation in the wet and dry seasons with the impact in the dry season being slightly higher. The
nature trails were under moderate erosion, which was highly associated with slope and vegetation. The impacts in Kibale National Park were in many ways similar to those reported in the national parks of
the UK, USA and Costa Rica. It was concluded that the impact was clearly the result of higher use frequency following the recent increase in the number of tourists to Kibale National Park. The need for
an early determination of the recreation-carrying capacity as well as research on impact that incorporates visitor numbers and use frequency is recommended if ecotourism is to remain sustainable in Kibale
National Park.
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