Land Suitability Zoning for Ecotourism Planning and Development of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ISSN 0354-8724 (hard copy) | ISSN 1820-7138 (online) Land Suitability Zoning for Ecotourism Planning and Development of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana Ante ŠiljegA, Branko CavrićB, Silvija ŠiljegA, Ivan MarićA, Mirko BaradaA* Received: February 19, 2019 | Revised: April 22, 2019 | Accepted: April 25, 2019 DOI: 10.5937/gp23-20633 Abstract The main objective of this paper was to discuss applications of GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS MCDA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). These two techniques were applied in order to as- sist preparation of the Tourism Management Plan, depicting the most suitable zones for ecotourism de- velopment in Dikgathlong Dam Lease Area (DDLA) as one of the largest resources of potable water in Botswana. The MCDA was based on geo-morphometric, hydrologic, landscape and community indica- tors and criteria which emanated from expert’s opinions, intensive field survey and literature review. In addition the AHP has helped to calculate individual criteria weights and to point the degree of suitabil- ity zones classified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable for eco- tourism. After performing both processes and establishing broad management zones it has been found that the Sustainable Development Scenario is the most appropriate option as the future ecotourism development proposal. This research provides new methodology that can be incorporated into future tourism policies and management strategies. Keywords: GIS, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), analytical hierarchy process (AHP), ecotourism, land suitability zoning. Introduction The tourism sector is one of important drivers of Botswa- Ecotourism is the most recently used term for a na’s economic growth and over the years has contributed sustainable form of tourism targeting preserved areas significantly to the country’s economic output (account- which need environmental conservation, visitors edu- ing for almost 12% of GDP) (Saarinen et al., 2012; Statis- cation, cultural preservation and experience, and eco- tics Botswana, 2015, GISPlan, BTO, 2016; 2017). The chal- nomic benefits for local community (Cobbinah, 2016; lenge however, is that even though Botswana is endowed Gigović et al., 2016; The International Ecotourism So- with a wide range of tourism assets, and referent institu- ciety [TIES], 2015). It emerged in the 1990’s as an alter- tions has brought numerous tourism acts and strategies, native form in order to neutralize the disadvantages of which provide the basis for developing a much more di- conventional (mass) tourism, with respect to sustain- versified tourism product for the country, it is not all yet able development (Bunruamkaew & Murayam, 2011). developed to fullest potential (Mbaiwa, 2005; Kaynak & From socio-economic standpoint, ecotourism deliv- Marandu, 2006; Basupi et al., 2017). In this way, niche ers a variety of economic benefits (Whelan, 1991; Cob- tourism products and markets (such as Dam tourism) binah, 2016). Ideally, ecotourism should take care of can be created and propagated in Botswana. conservation of biological, hydrological and cultural A University of Zadar, Department of Geography; [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] B University of Botswana, Faculty od Engineering and Technology, Department of Architecture and Planning; [email protected] * Corresponding author: Mirko Barada; e-mail: [email protected] 76 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 23, Issue 2, 76–86 (June 2019) Ante Šiljeg, Branko Cavrić, Silvija Šiljeg, Ivan Marić, Mirko Barada diversities (Ryngnga, 2008; Cobbinah, 2016; Gigović alytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) (Mardani et al., et al., 2016). 2015). This method provides a structural basis for GIS and remote sensing tools are widely used for quantifying the comparison of decision elements identifying location suitability and resource invento- and criteria in a pair wise matrix (Saaty, 1980). Typi- ries according to environmental, socio-economic and cally, the priority of each factor involved in the AHP spatial planning concerns (Jankowski & Richard, 1994; analysis is determined based principally on the ex- Malczewski, 2006, Charabi & Gastli, 2011; Gigović et al., pert’s opinions or information from various liter- 2016). GIS suitability mapping involves usage of a dif- ature sources (Saaty, 2008; Alexander, 2012). This ferent data sources where weights are assigned to deter- method has proven as beneficial decision-making mine the importance of particular criteria (Janke, 2010; tool for future planning of tourism facilities, eco- Bunruamkaew & Murayam, 2011; Al-Yahyai et al., 2012). tourism resource utilization and sustainable devel- In recent years, multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) opment (Zhang & Yang, 2009; Bunruamkaew & Mu- or multicriteria decision making approach (MCDMA) rayam, 2011; Mohd & Ujang, 2016). is widely exploited by many experts in order to holisti- By using the aforementioned practices the main cally evaluate the suitability of particular land area for goal of this research was to identify and categorize different purposes, e.g. flooding prevention (Fernández locations suitable for ecotourism development in the & Lutz, 2010), wildfire risk estimation (Kant Sharma et wider Dikgatlhong Dam Lease Area (DDLA) in Bot- al., 2012), agricultural management (Mendas & Delali, swana, based on the following: 2012) or energy generation (Abudeif et al., 2015). A few 1. Finding suitable criteria to be used in the analysis efforts were done to analyze ecotourism potentials as 2. Assigning criteria priority, weight and class weight well (Bunruamkaew & Murayam, 2011; Koschke et al., (rating) to the parameters involve 2012; Gigović et al., 2016; Jeong et al., 2016; Fang, 2017; 3. Production of land suitability maps for ecotourism Çetinkaya et al., 2018). development potential One of the most widely used MCDA weight esti- 4. Zoning of ecotourism potential areas (Broad Man- mation and criteria correlation technique is the An- agement Zoning - BMZ). Study area Dikgatlhong Dam is situated in the north-eastern part area of 13,124.64 ha, while the Dam itself is a zoned of Botswana about five kilometres upstream of the earth fill structure, 41 metres high and 4.5 kilometres Botswana-Zimbabwe border at the confluence of Sha- in length. Dikgatlhong Dam, as the largest dam in the hi and Tati River, and in close proximity to villages of country, has a total capacity of 400 million m3. Robelela to the South, Matopi to the North and Patay- Border of the lease area was agreed by respecting amatebele to the NW (Figure 1). The DDLA covers an several criteria, among which the most relevant were Figure 1. Study area Geographica Pannonica • Volume 23, Issue 2, 76–86 (June 2019) 77 Land Suitability Zoning for Ecotourism Planning and Development of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana tribal regulation, govermental regulation, as well as tention to make consensus with Botswana Tourism general consensus with local community (GISPlan, Organization (BTO) who will then be in a position BTO, 2016; 2017). As a result, the present border of the to lease concession areas to prospective tourism op- DDLA represents a compromise, still ongoing (Fig- erators. The Dam falls within the SPEDU (The Selebi ure 1, A). The land tenure in the DDLA is all tribal Phikwe Diversification Unit Company) region, dedi- land. However, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) cated for diversified economic development (Figure 1, has leased a large area so far and there is a recent in- B) (GISPlan, BTO, 2016; 2017). Materials and methods Data Sources tistical, GPS and drone record with GIS and environ- During the planning process the five-step data collec- mental planning expert datasets. Additionally, some tion approach encountered for the following: (i.) pri- open data sources were also utilised including Statis- mary and secondary data collection; (ii.) development tics Botswana, Regional Center for Mapping of Re- of GIS mapping models based on concepts, spatial/en- sources for Development (RCMRD), and Earth Ex- vironmental logics and mathematical calculus; (iii.) plorer. GIS analysis and visualisation of criteria identified; (iv.) interpretation of analytical data and aerial zoning Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) and Analytical according to suitability; (v.) application of the results Hierarchy Process (AHP) and stakeholders involvement. After goals setting, the combined MCA and AHP The primary data from the field survey were col- methodology was performed in five major steps spec- lected through administration of interview question- ifying the hierarchical structure, determining the rel- naires to the public. This helped to merge outcomes ative important weights of the criteria and sub-cri- from field survey, literature findings, historical, sta- teria, assigning preferred weights of each alternative, Figure 2. Phases of MCDA process (Source: GISPlan, BTO, 2017) 78 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 23, Issue 2, 76–86 (June 2019) Ante Šiljeg, Branko Cavrić, Silvija Šiljeg, Ivan Marić, Mirko Barada determining the final score, and, finally, validating Hydrology achieved results/model (Figure 2). Drainage density of DDLA is a sign of amount of streams and tributaries, leading to a relatively rap- Determination and Classification of Criteriae id hydrologic response to rainfall events, or having a The following set of criteria as indicators of suitabili- slow hydrologic response in a poorly drained basins ty within the land ecosystem of DDLA context were (Curry & Horn, 2009).