Assessment the impact of ecotourism activities on biodiversity conservation in cat ba national park hai phong city

gMINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY STUDENT THESIS ASSESSMENT THE IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN CAT BA NATIONAL PARK, HAI PHONG CITY Major: Natural Resources Management Code: D850101 Faculty: Forest Resources and Environmental Management Student: Nguyen Thi Hang Student ID: 1453091575 Class: K59 Natural Resources Management Course: 2014 - 2018 Advanced Education Program Developed in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA Supervisor: Assoc Prof Dr Dong Thanh Hai Ha Noi, 2018 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my very great appreciation to Assoc Prof Dr Dong Thanh Hai from Vietnam National Forestry University, my research supervisor, for his enthusiastic encouragement and useful comments Without his thoughtful, patient guidance through each step of my research, this thesis could not be completed I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the head, staff of Cat Ba National Park, the local people, the tourists for helping me enthusiastically during the data collection and providing the useful information Many others have contributed to the success of this thesis, but I would especially like to thank my family and classmates from K59 Natural Resources Management-Advanced program for their support Last but not least, this thesis may never have been completed without the support of the Faculty of Forest Resources and Environmental Management always encouraged me throughout my studies and research Despite spending the best efforts in the process of conducting the thesis, this research is still lacking due to the limitations of my time, finance and ability I look forward to receiving feedback from teachers, friends to complete the thesis better Thank you! i ABSTRACT The topic of "Assisting the impact of ecotourism activities on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park, Hai Phong city" was carried out in Cat Ba National Park, Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city This study is based on a survey conducted for tourists about ecotourism The main objective of the study was to identify the current status of ecotourism development and assess the impacts of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation in the Cat Ba National Park then propose solutions to limit the impact of the activities of ecotourism to the conservation of biodiversity and improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park The methods used for data collection are interview and line transects survey The study shows that Cat Ba National Park has high value for landscape and biodiversity to develop ecotourism, which also satisfies the level of tourists to ecotourism services The study also shows the remaining issues for ecotourism in Cat Ba National Park such as environmental sanitation, facilities The findings also suggest that there is need to create more awareness by providing information on threats affecting biodiversity by ecotourism and its harm so as to encourage the local leaders and community people sustainable tourism development and conservation of natural tourism resources Keyword: ecotourism, biodiversity, conservation ii ABBREVIATIONS IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources NP: National Park UNESCO: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization WWF: World Wildlife Fund iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ABSTRACT ABBREVIATIONS LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES I INTRODUCTION II LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Overview of ecotourism 2.1.1 Concept of ecotourism 2.1.2 Characteristics of ecotourism 2.1.3 The basic principles of ecotourism 2.2 Biodiversity and biodiversity conservation 2.2.1 Biodiversity 2.2.2 Biodiversity conservation 2.3 The impact of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation 2.3.1 The positive impact of ecotourism 2.3.2 The negative impact of ecotourism III GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 3.1 Goals 3.2 Objectives IV METHODOLOGY 4.1 Study site description 4.1.1 Natural conditions 4.1.2 Socio-Economic Conditions 10 4.2 Methodology 11 iv 4.2.1 Secondary document review 11 4.2.2 Data collection 12 4.2.3 Data analysis 14 V RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 15 5.1 Current status of ecotourism in Cat Ba National Park 15 5.1.1 Status of infrastructure system of the Cat Ba National Park 15 5.1.2 Tourism services 17 5.1.3 The tourist spots and routes 19 5.1.4 Tourist characteristics 24 5.2 Assessment of impacts of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park 28 5.2.1 Positive impact 28 5.2.2 Negative impact 34 5.3 Propose some solutions for sustainable ecotourism development in association with biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park 38 VI CONCLUSION 43 6.1 Conclusion 43 6.1.1 Current status of ecotourism activities at Cat Ba National Park 43 6.1.2 Impacts of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation of Cat Ba National Park 43 6.1.3 Proposing solutions 44 6.2 Constraints 44 6.3 Recommendation 44 REFERENCES APPENDIX v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Geographic map of Cat Ba NP Figure Map of transect line survey 14 Figure Some ecotourism routes in Cat Ba National Park 23 Figure The reason tourists choose to travel in Cat Ba National Park 25 Figure Information sources for tourist to know Cat Ba NP 26 Figure Desire to participate in ecotourism activities of the community 30 Figure 5 Tourism services that the community wants to be involved 30 Figure Tourist bring food and water to forest 36 Figure Tourist's perception of the impact of ecotourism on biodiversity conservation 38 vi LIST OF TABLES Table Satisfaction levels of tourists about infrastructure 15 Table Satisfaction levels of tourists about tourism services 18 Table Number of tourists to Cat Ba NP (period 2015-2017) 24 Table Sightseeing time of tourists at Cat Ba NP 27 Table 5 The number of times that tourists have to visit Cat Ba NP 27 Table Feelings of tourists about Cat Ba NP 27 Table Revenue from tourism of Cat Ba NP (period 2015-2017) 28 Table Perception of local people about the species in Cat Ba NP 31 Table Ecotourism activities in Cat Ba NP attract tourists 32 Table 10 Satisfaction levels of tourists about knowledge after trips 33 Table 11 Tourists perceptions of biodiversity conservation 33 Table 12 Camping activities tourists want to participate 34 Table 13 Satisfaction levels of tourists about environmental sanitation 35 Table 14 Consciousness of tourists on general hygiene 35 Table 15 Some activities from tourism affect the environment most 37 vii I INTRODUCTION Biodiversity is an important basis for the survival and development of nations Therefore, conservation of biodiversity has become a matter of concern, especially in the national park and nature reserve However, in recent years, under the impact of global climate change, biodiversity is being seriously affected Ecotourism is considered one of the ways that both support biodiversity conservation and at the same time support socio-economic development effectively Ecotourism has changed dramatically, gradually becoming a global trend Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate with 75% of the total area is mountain and plateau, the coast stretches over 3200km and there are many small and medium islands In addition, there is also a diversity of forest and marine ecosystems The harmonious combination of natural landscape and traditional culture is the condition and potential for ecotourism development in Vietnam However, it is also a great challenge in biodiversity conservation under the impact of ecotourism Located in the east of Hai Phong city, Cat Ba National Park is an ideal place to develop ecotourism Cat Ba National Park was established on 31 March 1986 under the No.79/CP decision of the Council of Ministers of Vietnam (now the government) It has a beautiful natural landscape, rich vegetation with more than 1500 species About animal, so far 282 species have been recorded These include 32 species of mammals, 78 birds’ species, 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, 98 species of zooplankton, 196 species of marine fish and 177 species of coral (Cat Ba National Park, 2016) The most common mammals include civet, deer, macaques, and squirrels The island is on a major migration route for waterfowl which feed and roost in the mangrove forest In addition to the benefits, tourism development also has negative impacts on the biodiversity and conservation of Cat Ba National Park Tourism development requires ecosystem impact, which results in abnormal changes in the natural development tendency of ecological processes Therefore, the pressure of tourism activities on the conservation of the national park is increasing This shows that tourism and conservation have a reciprocal relationship very close, intimate, interactive support each other In addition, development of tourism activities irrational may become causes of the decline in the value of the resources, declining environmental quality and thus also impair the effectiveness of tourism activities The development of tourism has become a pressure for Cat Ba National Park In the current context, research on ecotourism and its impact on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park are necessary However, there is no project or specific research on the level of impact, recent research has only assessed the potential development of ecotourism in Cat Ba National Park In order to understand the impacts of ecotourism activities on conservation at Cat Ba National Park and to contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism development, author carried out research topics: "Assessment the impact of ecotourism activities on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park, Hai Phong city" REFERENCES Agricultural Publishing House (2004): Law on Forest Protection and Development Anup K.C (2016): Ecotourism and Its Role in Sustainable Development of Nepal Braden K and Prudnikova N (2008): The Challenge of Ecotourism Development in the Altay Region of Russia David Macdonald (2007): Key Topics in Conservation Biology Dawson and E Stewart et al (2015): Last chance tourism: A race to be last Dictionary of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (2001): Definition of biodiversity conservation Do Thi Thanh Hoa (2016): Issues in the development of ecotourism in Vietnam Hawkins DE (2004): A Protected Areas Ecotourism Competitive Cluster Approach to Catalyse Biodiversity Conservation and Economic Growth in Bulgaria Héctor Ceballos Lascuráin (1996): Tourism, ecotourism, and protected areas 10 Hughes, M and J Carlsen (2008): Human-wildlife interaction guidelines in Western Australia, Journal of Ecotourism 11 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2000 Tordoff, A.W (ed.) et al., 2002: Directory of Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Vietnam Key Sites for Conservation BirdLife International in Indochina and IEBR 12 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2000: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Gland and Cambridge 13 Juanito G Cambangay (2006): Integrating Biodiversity Conservation and EcoTourism: The Bohol Province, Philippines Experience 14 Marnie P.Bookbinder, Eric Dinerstein & et al (1988): Ecotourism’s support of biodiversity conservation 15 Mohammed Ibrahim Mohamed Kaleel (2018): Eco Tourism as a Way for Biodiversity Conservation: A Study Based on Trincomalee District in Sri Lanka 16 Mohammed Ibrahim Mohamed Kaleel (2018): Eco-Tourism as a Way for Biodiversity Conservation: A Study Based on Trincomalee District in Sri Lanka 17 National Political Publishing House (2006): Tourism Law 18 Ngo Thi Hang (2015), Master Thesis: Evaluate the management effectiveness of Cat Ba National Park tourism environment 19 Nichola A Ramchurjee (2012): Impacts of Ecotourism in Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole), Karnataka 20 Phan Nguyen Hong & et al (2002): Ecotourism in Viet Nam: Potential and Reality 21 Rinkesh (2015): What is Ecotourism? 22 Stephen J Page, Ross K Dowling (2002): Ecotourism (Themes in Tourism) 23 The Politburo (2003), Construction and development of Hai Phong city in the period of industrialization and modernization, which specified the construction of Cat Ba tourism center worthy of national and international levels, Resolution No 32 / NQ-TW of the Politburo 24 Wilson, E O (ed), (1988): Biodiversity 25 World Wildlife Fund (1989): Definition of biodiversity APPENDIX Appendix Questionnaire for local people Hello, I am a student at the Vietnam national university of forestry I am currently studying the Graduation thesis on the topic "Assessment the impact of ecotourism activities on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park, Hai Phong city" The choice of respondents is completely random I undertake that the information provided is for research purposes only and not for any other purpose I look forward to receiving your help; this help is very valuable for the success of the topic Would you please answer some of the questions below: Part 1: General information Name:………………………………………………………………………… Male/Female: ………… Job: ………………………………………………… Địa chỉ/ Address:………………………………………………………………… Part 2: Questions Choose the answer and tick the answer you chose Is your work connected with Cat Ba National Park? ☐ Yes ☐ No What are your main sources of income from the following sources: ☐ Contracting for forest protection and management ☐ Crop ☐ Hunting ☐ Others:…………………… Would you like to participate in tourism activities of Cat Ba National Park? ☐ Yes (Answer question 4, 5, 6, 7) ☐ No (Don’t need answer question 4, 5, 6, 7) Which travel service you attend? ☐ Guide tourists ☐ Food Service ☐ Souvenir sale ☐ Business motels The level of your participation? ☐ Regularly ☐ No often What are your benefits when participating in tourism activities? (Multiple choice) ☐ Get a loan ☐ To be trained in tourism skills ☐ Create jobs and increase income ☐ Exchange and development of local culture ☐ Know the benefits and responsibilities of conservation 7a Does your family's income come from participating in tourism activities? ☐ No (Don’t need answer question 7b) ☐ Yes (Anwser question 7b) 7b Are you satisfied with the income from tourist activities there? ☐ Yes ☐ No According to the family, are the animals and plants in the national park important? ☐Very important ☐ Normal ☐Important ☐ Do not know Is biodiversity conservation in the NP necessary? ☐Very necessary ☐ Necessary ☐Not necessary 10 Does the family have propaganda (leaflets, propaganda films, attending meetings, listening to information on the radio, ) on management and conservation in Cat Ba National Park? ☐Frequently ☐Rarely ☐ Occasionally 11 According to you, the management of Cat Ba National Park should to better conservation? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Thank you for completing these questions! Appendix Questionnaire for tourists Hello, I am a student at the Vietnam national university of forestry I am currently studying the Graduation thesis on the topic "Assessment the impact of ecotourism activities on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park, Hai Phong city" The choice of respondents is completely random I undertake that the information provided is for research purposes only and not for any other purpose I look forward to receiving your help; this help is very valuable for the success of the topic Would you please answer some of the questions below: Part 1: General information Date of survey: ……………………………………………………………… Survey site: ………………………………………………………………… Name:…………………… ………………………………………………… Age:………………… (Male/Female)……………………… Where are you from:……………………………………………………… Part 2: Questions Choose the answer and tick the answer you chose 1.How you know about ecotourism in Cat Ba National Park? (Multiple choise) ☐ Internet ☐ Travel agency ☐ Friends, relatives ☐ Tourism program ☐ Media ☐ Others: ……………… ☐Books How many times have you come to Cat Ba National Park? ☐This is the first time ☐2 times ☐ times ☐ More: ………… 3.What form of travel are you organized in? ☐ According to the tour company ☐ Agencies, groups plan to go ☐ Friends, family plan to go ☐ Others: …………………… What is your purpose when you come to Cat Ba National Park? ☐ Study tour ☐ Discover, conquer, study ☐ Entertainment ☐Others:…………………… Why you choose tourism in Cat Ba National Park? ☐ Concerned about biodiversity, ecosystems ☐ Gather experience on nature, conservation and indigenous culture ☐ Curious, want to be close to nature ☐ Random ☐ Other reasons: …………………… …………… How long are you staying in Cat Ba National Park? ☐ Half day ☐ All day ☐ Other: …………………………… Which ecotourism activities in Cat Ba National Park attract you? ☐ Explore the trail of the tourist route ☐ Visiting the landscape ☐ Research on ecosystems and biodiversity 8a Do you like camping? ☐ Yes (Answer the question 8b) ☐ No (Don’t need answer the question 8b) 8b If yes, what type of camping you prefer? ☐ Campfire ☐ Teambuilding ☐ Cooking ☐ Other What you feel about Cat Ba National Park? ☐ Normal like other places ☐ Ecosystem diversity and distinct ☐ Others: ………………………………………………………… 10 Consciousness of tourists on general hygiene? ☐ Throw garbage in trash can ☐ Hold and bring out ☐ Throw garbage in place where not allowed 11 According to you, ecotourism is: ☐ It is a type of tourism that exploits the strengths of nature ☐ Nature-based and indigenous cultures are associated with environmental education, contributing to sustainable conservation and development efforts with the active participation of local communities ☐ As with other types of tourism, it is important to attract visitors and bring in profits 12 What are your perceptions of biodiversity conservation? ☐ Very important ☐Important ☐ Not important 13 Do you think ecotourism has impact on biodiversity conservation? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ No idea 14 According to you, what ecotourism activities in the National Park affect biodiversity? ☐ Camping, sleeping in the forest ☐ Climb the mountain ☐ Hiking, picnicking, rowing ☐ Fishing ☐ Observe birds and animals ☐ Other 15 Please assess your satisfaction with the tourism activities at Cat Ba National Park (scores are given from to according to the level of: Not satisfied, quite satisfied, satisfied and very satisfied) (Service costs) (Infrastructure) (Service quality) (Environmental sanitation) (More understanding) (Service attitude) (Directed by guides) 16 Your comments to organize tourism activities and conservation here better ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Thank you for completing these questions! Appendix Questionnaire for staffs Hello, I am a student at the Vietnam national university of forestry I am currently studying the Graduation thesis on the topic "Assessment the impact of ecotourism activities on biodiversity conservation in Cat Ba National Park, Hai Phong city" The choice of respondents is completely random I undertake that the information provided is for research purposes only and not for any other purpose I look forward to receiving your help; this help is very valuable for the success of the topic Would you please answer some of the questions below: Part 1: General information Full name: ………………………………………………………………………… Age:………………… Male/ Female:……………………………… Position:…………………………………………………………………………… Date of survey:…………………………………………………………………… Part 2: Questions Choose the answer and tick the answer that you choose Does your current job suit your expectations? ☐Suitable ☐ Normal ☐Not appropriate Please evaluate current biodiversity conservation? ☐Very good ☐Good ☐Normal ☐ Poor ☐ Pretty good How are you given the opportunity to learn and improve your knowledge of ecotourism? ☐Seminar ☐Training ☐No activity ☐ Others:…………………………………………… How interested in investing in tourism development for Cat Ba National Park? ☐Be interested and well this issue ☐Has been concerned, but implementation is not good ☐This issue is not considered ☐ Other:………………………………………………………………… How you assess the development of ecotourism in Cat Ba National Park? ☐Development ☐Normal ☐No development ☐Other:………………………………… According to you, is there any activity that adversely affects the forest area, the protection and conservation in the NP? ☐Poaching, forest destruction ☐Natural disasters (forest fires, floods, etc.) ☐People in the buffer zone for farming land ☐ Others:………………………………………………………………… Do you think ecotourism has an impact on biodiversity conservation? ☐ Yes (Answer question 9, 10) ☐ No (Don’t need answer question 9, 10) How is the impact? ☐Many ☐Little ☐Not significant What ecotourism activities affect the biodiversity conservation of the NP? ☐Explore the trail of the tour ☐Visiting the landscape ☐ Camping ☐ All 10 Do people in the buffer zone participate in ecotourism and conservation? ☐ Yes (Answer question 12) ☐No (Don’t need answer question 12) 11 Level of participation of people? ☐Frequently ☐ Not often ☐ Other:………………………………… 12 How does the Management Board pay attention to raising people's awareness of forest protection and biodiversity? ☐Very interested and regularly open training courses for people ☐Only care at normal level ☐Not interested in this issue ☐Others:…………………………………………………………………………… 13 According to you, the current situation of scientists about the biodiversity of the national park like? ☐Many ☐Little ☐ Other:…………………………… 14 What you think about the strategic measures to promote the development of ecotourism and conservation in Cat Ba National Park? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Thank you for completing these questions! Some pictures in field work Vietnamese tourists answer interview questions Foreign tourists answer interview questions Guides and tourists at ecotourism spots Trung Trang Cave Hoi Lake Ech Pond Kim Giao Peak Viet Hai commune Mangroves in Cat Ba Service Center of Cat Ba National Park ... challenge in biodiversity conservation under the impact of ecotourism Located in the east of Hai Phong city, Cat Ba National Park is an ideal place to develop ecotourism Cat Ba National Park was... concern for conservationists Based on the revenue of ecotourism activities in Cat Ba National Park, the role of tourism in promoting the conservation of the Cat Ba National Park is better This... staffs of Cat Ba National park The question focused on investment in ecotourism development in Cat Ba National Park and the conservation of biodiversity in here Questionnaires for staffs are in Appendix