IMPACT OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS IN THE CENTRAL KENYA REGION ON VEGETATION, SOIL, WATER AND WILD GAME

Abstract

Outdoor recreationist are prone to selecting sites that have eye catching sceneries with nice weather and spectacular landscapes. However, visitation in the natural parks can cause substantial resource change in the national parks that can affect the parks’ functionality. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of recreation activities in the national parks in the Central Kenya region on vegetation, soil, water and wild game. The descriptive survey research design was used. The study was conducted in the two designated national parks in Central Kenya region: Mt. Kenya and Aberdares. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure that the KWS and KFS officers in managerial, tour guide, maintenance, and security levels were represented. Out of the three hundred and twenty nine (329) questionnaires administered, two hundred and sixty three 263(79.9%) responded to the questionnaires by completely filling and returning them. Descriptive statistics that included frequencies and percentages were used to organize and summarize the data. Tables and bar charts were drawn to present the collected data. Independent T-test was conducted to compare the perception mean rating between the visitors and staff on picnicking where visitors (= 1.82, SD=0.69) and staff (= 1.52,SD=0.69) the two group are not significantly different However, there is significant difference on Hiking/climbing/safari walk (=2.53,SD=0.76) and staff(=2.37,SD=0.87). The visitors rated Hiking/Climbing/Safari walk as the recreation activities that negatively affects environment followed by Bicycling/Mountain, biking/Game drive. The rating of hiking/Climbing/Safari walks both as recreation activity that was perceived to negatively affect environment and as the most preferred recreation activity is attributed to the visitors’ perception that the more the use of a particular activity the more the impact on the environment. Since impact is inevitable wherever recreation use is allowed, it is imperative to set specific objectives and standards that will place a limit on impact. Then, through monitoring of conditions, managers will be able to more clearly identify when specific impacts have become so pronounced as to demand management attention.