Thesis
Poaching and malnutrition in Malawi's Kasungu National Park: why tourism is not a solution
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100648
Abstract
During my work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi between February of 2009 and April of 2011, I investigated the relationship between poverty and malnutrtion, and the laws governing hunting in the region of Kasungu National Park in central Malawi. My goal was to develop ways to reduce the negative effects of bushmeat hunting. Based on my work as an extension officer for Malawi's national parks, participant observation, informal and semi-structured key informant interviews, and a simple 24-hour food recall survey, I concluded that efforts to boost the local economy through tourism will not halt the bushmeat trade orginating in Kasungu National Park. This study adds to an understanding of what drives the bushmeat trade in this region. It also offers insights for more effective management of world conservation efforts. Tourism is unlikely to succeed here at this time because the basic components for a successful tourism industry are not in place. It is also apparent that bushmeat is too important in this region to be easily replaced; the area lacks other sources of essential protein nutrients, and bushmeat is an important source of income for villagers, however meager.
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Details
- Title
- Poaching and malnutrition in Malawi's Kasungu National Park
- Creators
- Ryan C. Iehl
- Contributors
- John H. Bodley (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525168601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis