The Investigation of the Effects of Conservation and Tourism on Land Tenure and Ownership Patterns in KwaZulu-Natal

Globally, the conservation and tourism sector is being enthusiastically promoted as one of the key mechanisms to catalyze rural local economic development. This is particularly relevant in South Africa where tourism is considered an important sector for Black Economic Empowerment and community development. However, there is increasing concern that the impact of tourism and conservation on local communities is not always beneficial and can include a range of negative livelihoods consequences. These impacts vary in scope and intensity and can include; false and uneven economic growth, loss of access to resources, cultural pollution and labour exploitation. One of the critical areas of concern is the dispossession and loss of rights, particularly land rights for rural communities. Land is the central component of rural livelihoods. Without land communities lose access to security and consequently natural resources, financial capital and cohesive social structures.