The Impacts of Tourism on the Ecosystems Within National Parks
Writer: Anchee Qiang
Editor: Elise Su
National parks have been a fascination to curious eyes worldwide. However, many concerns arise when we start closely examining human behavior in these parks. From excessive tourism to environmental damage, humans are one of the main proponents of driving national parks into the ground. According to reports from the American National Parks Conservation Association, as of 2024, 98% of national parks in the United States struggle with haze and air pollution. This research shows that pollution in protected areas such as national parks far exceeds reasonable levels..
Case Study #1 → The Serengeti National Park
There are ever-growing concerns in relation to tourism and sustainability in the Serengeti, and it is more important now than ever to address these issues. With over a million animals migrating across the park each year during the great migration, it is imperative that humans do not disturb their paths of movement. However, despite the efforts of environmentalists to preserve the park, it still suffers from a myriad of concerns. As the number of tourists in the Serengeti increase annually, the harm done to animals has followed suit. With poaching becoming more prevalent in recent years, more than 40% of the natural ecosystem in the Serengeti has been lost. Moreover, the incentive towards the preservation of the Serengeti has waned since its rise to fame as a national park with the emphasis being centered on tourism, instead of preservation of nature and culture. This is mainly due to the economic benefits that tourism brings to Tanzania, accounting for almost 20% of their annual GDP. In addition, the indigenous populations of the Serengeti have also been dramatically affected due to extensive tourism, as their hunting patterns and knowledge of animal migration have been altered.
Due to the lack of proper management in the Serengeti, animals and humans alike have and will continue to face escalating negative consequences. Furthermore, considering unstable post-colonial economic frameworks in Tanzania, it is imperative that a path of ecotourism is pursued in order to preserve the remaining ecosystem in the Serengeti; from replacements for hotels to scientific innovations, all of these factors play a huge role in the preservation of the park.
Student-made solutions
In order to bring attention to the issues surrounding tourism in national parks globally, the Secondary School United Nation Synopsis hosted a committee for high school students on the topic of Tourism in the Serengeti National Park in November of 2024. Below are some of the solutions that students worldwide created:
Raising Awareness of Human impact on both the Serengeti and the *Massai people
Emphasizing the importance of education in developing nations
Encouraging off-season tourism
Establishing sustainable agricultural practices
Solutions such as this bring attention to such issues both for older and younger generations, who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Past UN resolutions
The United Nations itself! With the 1973 UN List of National Parks and Equivalent Reserves, a publication highlighting national parks around the globe, a step towards environmentalism and sustainability was put into place. From documenting the parks to providing criteria, this publication revealed the vulnerability of our ecosystems
Call to Action
If you’re still reading this strenuous paper, you must be invested. So, what can you do to make a difference? This section will outline ways for you to help conserve our national parks.
Off Season Tourism
Off-season tourism is one of the main ways to ensure minimal disruption to animal migration patterns and habitats. By participating in and promoting off-season tourism, you diminish interference with the natural migration of animals. Off-season tourism might not allow you to see the great migration, yet you are still able to enjoy the many other natural wonders and beauties of national parks.
Avoid staying in hotels that are located within the habitats of animals
It goes without saying that hotels are one of the main contenders when it comes to the isruption of natural habitats. By staying in hotels a few kilometres out, or even better, staying in temporary shelters, animals are able to roam freely without being constricted by hotels. Ultimately, it allows you to continue spectating the park, whilst being respectful to the ecosystems in the park.
Educate Others
Education is the prerequisite to the continued preservation of nature From bringing up sustainability in casual conversation to raising awareness through media, it is imperative that younger generations are educated on such topics. Sure, schools focus on sustainability, however sustainable tourism is barely mentioned at all. This directly contradicts patterns and trends in society, in which more and more people now have access to travel, and tourism. This only further proves how important it is for people to understand the impact that they have on both physical and social constructs before they venture into them.
Conclusion
To conclude, national parks such as the Serengeti have impacted and will continue impacting many global actors in many different areas, from the economy to the social factors, national parks have always played a huge role in the spread of awareness through tourism. Now, it’s your turn. Instead of buying into the money-grabbing factors of national parks, it is time to take action and advocate not just for a sustainable future, but one that preserves the natural wonders of today.
References
NPCA. 2024. “NPCA Finds Air Pollution Harms 97% of National Parks.” NCPA. https://www.npca.org/articles/3699-npca-finds-air-pollution-harms-97-of-national-parks#:~:text=The%20report%20shows%20that%2096,staff%2C%20visitors%20and%20nearby%20communities.
The Great Migration: What, When and Where?” n.d. Asilia Africa. Accessed November 6, 2024.
https://www.asiliaafrica.com/experiences/the-great-wildebeest-migration/.
“Threats Facing the Serengeti – Serengeti Watch.” n.d. Serengeti Watch. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://serengetiwatch.org/threats-facing-the-serengeti/.
“TIC | Tourism.” n.d. Tanzania Investment Centre. Accessed November 6, 2024. https://www.tic.go.tz/sectors/tourism.
IUCN. 1973. “UN List of National Parks and Equivalent Reserves.” IUCN. https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/NS-027.pdf.