How Covid-19 affected conservation efforts in Africa
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted just about every aspect of our lives, from working arrangements to holiday plans. In Africa, everything from Kenyan safaris to city breaks in Cape Town came to a standstill. While many other areas of tourism have slowly started to recover, perhaps the one that was the hardest hit was conservation tourism across the country.
In this short guide, we’ll highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on conservation programmes across Africa and the wider disruption that has followed as a result of over 18 months of lockdowns and restrictions.
Decreased income from tourism It goes without saying that the economy of many countries has suffered greatly, thanks to the Coronavirus outbreak. Across many African nations, this problem is particularly profound. That’s because tourism makes up a huge percentage of the GDP of these countries. And, thanks to long periods of heavy travel restrictions, the income from tourism dropped dramatically.
So, as the total budget of these countries has dropped, so too has the amount available to spend on conservation projects. And, as conservation isn’t always seen as the most important thing to spend money on, the amount of funding available may decrease even more significantly.
Lower budget for conservation projects When there is less money available to spend on running conservation projects, it goes without saying that the quality of these efforts will also decrease. Less money means there are fewer people available to work on conservation efforts, as well as fewer resources available to help with these projects. So, the quality of work is lower than when a project is fully-funded and adequately staffed.
Of course, travel restrictions also mean it can be more difficult getting people to these locations. With long periods where essential movement only was allowed, it’s clear that conservation areas were neglected as a result.
Increased poverty means locals turn to poaching Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a huge impact on locals of conservation areas. Rural poverty increased dramatically as a direct result of the pandemic and associated restrictions. Many turned to activities that actively harm conservation efforts.
The most notable of these is poaching. Despite the act being illegal, it can prove very lucrative, especially for those living in poverty. In addition, there are other natural resources in conservation areas that can be extremely valuable to locals living in poverty. For example, it is also common for activities such as mining and tree felling to take place in these areas.
So, it’s clear to see that these activities will have quite the opposite effect on conservation efforts. Rather than helping populations of endangered species thrive, poaching and the destruction of habits will instead cause them to decline.
There’s also another unpleasant side effect of illegal hunting - consuming the meat from the animals poached. This is thought to be what initially caused the Coronavirus outbreak; many wild animals carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans, and we are all keen to avoid another pandemic in the near future.
Photo by Leif Blessing from Pexels
Measures to get conservation efforts back on track So, it’s clear that something needs to be done to get conservation projects back on track. One of the main requirements is additional funding, which can come from various sources. Most commonly, donations are made from more developed countries as well as industries and generous donors.
And, charitable, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should aim to employ locals in Africa to work on conservation projects, rather than relying on international help. That way, the need for travel is removed, meaning future lockdowns won’t harm conservation efforts.
It is also recommended that local governments crack down on enforcing laws around the trade of wildlife and associated animal products. This can help deter would-be poachers and encourage them to consider other options. Similarly, measures should be put in place to help ensure habitats are looked after rather than being destroyed.
The future of conservation tourism in Africa It is hoped that tourism across Africa will return to pre-Coronavirus levels in the not-too-distant future, hopefully no later than 2024.
However, with international travel still proving risky and somewhat unpopular at the moment, other measures are needed to help boost the struggling tourism economy. Domestic tourism is being promoted, encouraging locals to explore the area and find hidden treasures on their doorstep. Many national parks have dramatically cut the entrance fees to help with this, making them more accessible.
There has also been a rise in virtual tourism. This involves using the wonders of today’s technology to allow ‘tourists’ to experience a destination without leaving the comfort of their own homes. Content such as audio, video, and narrations are broadcast using a virtual reality headset, so viewers have a truly immersive experience without any of the risks associated with travel.
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash
Positive outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic Despite how it sounds, it’s not all doom and gloom. As mentioned above, tourism in Africa is becoming more and more accessible thanks to reduced entry fees and options for virtual visits.
Also, it is thought that there will be more options for funding land set aside for conservation in the very near future. In fact, it has already started, with the World Bank pledging $45 million in bonds to save the critically endangered black rhino. The Bank will sell these bonds to investors, with funds being used directly in the conservation projects.
