Local community attitudes and perceptions towards benefits and challenges associated with biodiversity conservation in Blouberg Nature Reserve, South Africa

Abstract

This study assessed the benefits and challenges associated with local community involvement in biodiversity conservation in the Blouberg Nature Reserve (BNR) of South Africa. To achieve this, a descriptive research design was used in the study. Three hundred and thirty-five households from four villages scattered around the nature reserve were selected using a stratified systematic sampling procedure to participate in a household questionnaire survey. The BNR Manager was purposefully selected for an in- depth structured interview so that an overview of socio-economic benefits and challenges to the community from the park's perspective could be known. Field data collection was conducted during the month of June 2019.