An appraisal of environmental interpretive policies and strategies of Nigeria national parks

Abstract

This research was carried out to appraise the environmental interpretive policies and strategies of Nige ria National Parks. Four National Parks-Chad Basin National Parks (CBNP), Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), Okomu National Park (OKNP) and Yankari National Park (YNP, now Yankari Game Reserve) representing the major ecological zones of Nigeria were selected for the study. Data were col lected from the management of the Parks through interview guide adapted from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Parks, Victoria, Australia; these were analysed by using de scriptive statistics. The study revealed that the business structure for these parks is public service model and that they have legislated responsibility for providing information and education and considered interpretation to be of central importance to their operations; although they have varying levels of im portance attached to various interpretation/interpretive functions. Interpretive policies and strategies adopted by the parks include management policy, education policy and strategy, management plans, action plans, guidelines and manuals. Key audiences considered for interpretive services were visitors from schools, first–time visitors, park neighbours, tertiary institutions, overseas visitors and special in terest groups. The study concluded that greater emphasis is needed in developing appropriate interpre tive plans and programs that can shape visitors’/ and park neighbours attitude towards National Parks’ policies and activities as well as using interpretive services to project the tourism potentials of Nigeria to the outside world in order to optimize the gains from global tourism market and to enhance the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of eradicating extreme poverty (through in creased economic benefits of local communities from ecotourism ) and ensuring environmental sustain ability in the country.