THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GAME RESORT (A CASE STUDY OF YANKARI GAME RESORT OF BAUCHI STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1. Background of the study

Yankari game resort is a large wildlife park located in the south-central part of Bauchi State, in north eastern Nigeria. It covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometers (866 sq mi) and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists and holiday makers to watch wildlife in its natural habitat. Yankari was originally created as a game reserve in 1956, but later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. It is the most popular destination for tourists in Nigeria and, as such, plays a crucial role in the development and promotion of tourism and ecotourism in Nigeria. It is also one of the most popular eco-destinations in West Africa.

The open country and villages that surround Yankari game resort are populated by farmers and herders, but there has been no human settlement in the resort for over a century. There is, however, evidence of earlier human habitation in the park, including old iron smelting sites and caves.

In 1934, the Northern Regional Committee made a recommendation to the Executive Council to establish a pilot game reserve in the Bauchi Emirate. This was supported by AlhajiMuhammaduNgeleruma, a minister in the former northern Nigeria Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Around this time, he had been impressed by a visit to a Sudanese game reserve while on a trip to East Africa. On returning, he encouraged the moves to establish something similar in Nigeria.

In 1956, the Northern Nigeria Government approved the plans for the creation of a Game Preservation area. Yankari was identified as a region in the south of what was then Bauchi Province where large numbers of wild animals existed naturally and could be protected. In 1957 a Game Preservation area was carved out and the area was constituted as a Bauchi Native Authority Forest Reserve.

Yankari was first opened to the public as a premier game resort on 1 December 1962. Since then, the Northern Eastern State Government and then the Bauchi State Government both managed the Yankari Game Resort. The park is now managed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Park Service.

1. 1. Statement of the problem

The politics of wildlife resources management in Yankari Wildlife Park has negatively affected both conservation and ecotourism development. Increased rate of encroachment in the park has been noticed as policies of the different authorities that managed the destination conflicted. The differences experienced by the dual management of Yankari wildlife destination affect the host communities in Bauchi state. Though the politics is not quite beneficial to both the tourism value and the host communities, it is yet to stop tourists’ visitation and has never reached the level of disrupting tourism operations and destroying investments through sponsored and targeted attacks as experienced in some destinations in other countries such as Kenya. The resources of the park can better be managed and the host communities given better life.

1.3   Significance of the study

The overall aim of this project is to quantify the impact of Yankari game resort on the host communities in Bauchi state, interpret findings, analyze implications, and convey high level results and implications to national decision-makers for sustainable and better environment of the host communities in Bauchi state.

1.4   Objectives of the study

This study was undertaken majorly to assess the impact of Yankari game resort on the host communities of Bauchi state.

Specific objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the economic impact of Yankari game resort on the host communities of Bauchi state.
2. To ascertain whether there is any significant relationship between Yankari game resort and the host communities in Bauchi state.

1.5   Research questions

During the course of the study, the researcher seeks to provide suitable answers to the problem following the questions below:

1. What economic impact does Yankari game resort have on the host communities of Bauchi state?

2. Is there any significant relationship between Yankari game resort and the host communities in Bauchi state?

1.6   Research hypotheses

Ho: There is no economic impact of Yankari game resort on the host communities in Bauchi state.

Hi: There is economic impact of Yankari game resort on the host communities in Bauchi state.

Ho: No significant relationship exist between Yankari game resort and the host communities in Bauchi state.

Hi: There is a significant relationship between Yankari game resort and the host communities in Bauchi state.

1.7   Limitations of the study

The study was carried out to investigate the impact of yankari game resort on the host communities in Bauchi State. The study is limited to the game resort in the Bauchi State. This is because of her representative nature of all the game resort centers in Nigeria, proximity to the researcher, time and financial constraints.

1.8   Scope of the study

This research work is on theimpact of yankari game resort in Bauchi State with particular emphasis on how it impacts on the host communities in Bauschi State.

1.9   Definition of terms

Game: This is an activity that one engages in for amusement.

Resort: This is a place where people go for vacations.

Economic Impact: This examines the effect of an event on the economy in a specified area, ranging from a single neighborhood to the entire globe.

Bauchi State: This is a state in northern Nigeria. Its capital is the city of Bauchi.