HARNESSING POSSIBLE UPGRADE OF ARINTA WATERFALL, IPOLE-ILORO AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Funmilola AJANI¹, Olufemi O. OLUYISOLA ¹ and Fadeayo A. AKINWUMI¹

¹Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

 

 

ABSTRACT

Arinta waterfall is a nature-based tourism site that is not fully developed and utilized. This study was done to harness possible upgrade of this site. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in this study. Structured questionnaire, (180) was administered. Other tools used to gather information were in-depth interview sessions with the key informant of the study  area  and the director of Ekiti State tourism board. Also, Focus Group Discussion was conducted for  groups of local people. From the overall results, respondents perceived a high level of potential impact to the environment, socio-cultural life  and  the economy of the community. Some of the challenges identified by the residents were documented and suggestions for the upgrade were documented. The study thereby concludes that there is a high potential impact that the development of Arinta waterfall can provide to the environment, social and economy of the local community, hence an upgrade is necessary .

 

 Keywords: Water-based tourism, Community perception, Potential impact, Arinta waterfall,   Ipole-Iloro Ekiti  

 

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Tourism has continued to drive itself onto the radar of developing countries’ policy makers as an important foreign exchange earner (Kareem, 2008) and it is concomitant to sustainable development. It is a great generator of economic wealth for developed countries like Unite States of America, Germany, Japan, France and Canada. A number of countries have tailored their tourism industries adaptly to reflect this desire and have reaped economic rewards while minimizing the environmental and social impacts of growth. Costa Rica led way in developing the ecotourism concept, followed closely by Equador, Tanzania, Kenya  and Nepal.  Tourism can develop and grow when local residents have a positive attitude towards it and when they see their role in the process of the tourism development (Ambroz, 2008).

Development of tourism in rural areas has wide ranging positive and negative impacts on host communities, especially those living in and around the destination. Residents in most of the communities seem to have positive perception towards tourism. This does not imply that they do not have concerns on its negative impacts of tourism in their communities. According to Ijasan and Izobo-Oladunni (2012), tourism development is a dynamic process and is conducted in an ever changing environment, a blend of economic, political, cultural, technological and geographical reality of events.

In Nigeria, little attention has been given to tourism development (Ibimilua, 2009). The reason for this is not unconnected with the low economic structure as well as the rural economic base of the country. However, the nation is very rich both in ecology and culture; it has a wide variety of biodiversity and equally blessed with many traditional festivals and cultural attractions.

 Idumah et al.,(2009) noted that most of the environments of the tourist destination in Nigeria are characterized by the dearth of aesthetics and infrastructure facilities that can serve as an avenue to improve tourist’s patronage. Ekiti state is blessed with abundant tourism potentials, such as beaches, spectacular rock formations, hydrological bodies, wildlife, waterfalls and other rich festivals, architecture and craft which has necessitated towards existing tourism drive in the state according to Ibimilua and Ibimilua (2015).

The study site, Arinta waterfalls, situated in Ipole-Iloro, is a good tourist attraction and natural wonder in Ekiti State. This site is not as developed as Ikogosi springs. The Arinta waterfalls are a wonder spectacle to behold, cascading down rocky hills from a great height amidst natural forest vegetation to form a flowing pool of spring water. The place is ideal for relaxation, picnics, mountain-climbing, hiking, bush trails and religious retreats.

Ijasan and Izobo-Martins (2012) worked on the assessment of community engagement in tourism planning and development of Arinta waterfall tourist resort, Ipole-Iloro Ekiti. Kayode and Ayodele (2012) in their research on the assessment of the strength of tourism potentials of Ekiti state, resulted that Arinta waterfall, Ikogosi warm spring are strongly rated as tourism potential destinations, so developing the site can add to the state visitor proposition which is a key challenge to developing economic benefit through tourism. Only Ikogosi warm spring, out of all the tourism potentials in the state have been converted into tourism resort (Bankole, 2002) while others are still left fallow without any conscious effort by the government and private individuals towards their development. Thus, this study aims to harness possible upgrade of Arinta waterfall and to assess its potential impacts on the people of Ipole Iloro community, Ekiti state.

 

 

2.  METHODOLOGY

2.1 Geography of the Study Area

Arinta waterfall is located in Ipole Iloro Ekiti, it is 6km away from Ikogosi warm spring tourist centre, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The project town is located in Ekiti State of Nigeria which is situated in the heart of the tropics of the country. It is located between longitudes 4⁰ 45¹ to 5⁰ 45¹ east of the Greenwich Meridian and latitudes 7⁰ 45, 8¹ 50¹ north of the equator. The state comprises of sixteen (16) Local Government Areas (LGAs) with its state headquarters at Ado-Ekiti. The state is mainly an upland zone that rises over 250m above the sea level.

 2.2 Temperature and Climate

Temperature ranges between 21⁰C to 28⁰C with high humidity. Two distinct seasons are witnessed in the state, which are raining season, between April and October and dry season between November and March.

Figure 1: Map of Ipole Iloro Ekiti State, showing the location of Arinta waterfall.

2.3 Sources of Data Collection

The method used to obtain data for this research includes:-

1)    Structured Questionnaire

2)    In-depth Interview

3)    Focus Group Discussion

1)    Questionnaire: - One set of structured questionnaire, one hundred and eighty (180) was used during this research  and one hundred and sixty six (166) completed and returned. Due to the perceived educational level of the people of the community, two enumerators were trained on how to collect relevant information, how to approach respondents and how to manage data.

     Aside personal observation, data was also collected from various secondary sources   such as journals, thesis, research papers and textbooks.

2)    In- depth Interview: - A semi-structured interview guide was developed for an interview session with a key informant of the study area who is the king (Oba) of the village, about the impacts of the ecotourism site on the community. Also, the director of Ekiti state tourism board was interviewed.

3)    Focus Group Discussion (FGD):- FGD was made to supplement the data collected by the questionnaires. It is advantageous in allowing for in-depth discussion and to avoid exaggerated opinions. The FGD conducted was a group of local people having six to ten members in a discussion group of a male and female section.

 

2.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted in sampling respondents for the study.

Ipole-Iloro community is divided into six (6) quarters, out of which three (50%) were randomly picked. Each of the selected quarters has an estimated 50 households, with an average of 5 members per household. This gives a total of 250 members in each quarter. Purposive sampling was then used to sample youths and the elderly who are deemed more appropriate since they should understand the potentials of Arinta waterfall. This restricted the sampling frame to 150 dwellers in each of the three quarters, giving a total of 450 members as the overall sampling frame. Using simple random sampling technique, 40% of rural dwellers were selected in each of the sampled quarters, and this gave a total of 180 respondents. However, only a total of 166 instruments were subjected to statistical analysis while the remaining ones were condemned due to incomplete information, giving a return rate of 92.2%.   

 

2.5 Measurement of Variables

2.5.1 Independent Variable

Independent variables measured were age, sex, religion, marital status, level of education, occupation, average monthly income and indigeneship.

 2.5.2 Dependent Variable

The dependent variable for the study was the respondents’ view on the impacts of Ecotourism on the Environment, Socio-Cultural and Economic aspects in their community and it was measured using a 5 point likert scale of Strongly Disagree [   ], Disagree [   ], Neutral [   ], Agree [   ],  and Strongly Agree [   ], with scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 assigned respectively, for positive statement but a reverse for negative statement. The mean potential score was computed and used to categorize respondents into high perceived potential and low perceived potential, using the mean score as the benchmark.  

2.6 Data Analysis

Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages and mean data were used while inferential statistics, Chi-square, was used to access whether  significant differences exist between selected demographic variables and respondent’s perception towards impacts of ecotourism .

 

                                                        

 

 

3.  RESULTS

Table 1   Demographic characteristics of respondents

	Frequency (f)	Percentage (%)	Mean ±SD
Age	24	14.5	33.39±14.08
≤ 20
21-30	74	44.6
31-40	28	16.9
41-50	13	7.8
51-60	16	9.6
61-70	8	4.8
above 70	3	1.8
Monthly Income	76	45.8	#28,733.73± #34,608.06
less than #20,000
#21,000-#40,000	69	41.6
#41,000-#60,000	13	7.8
#61,000-#80,000	1	0.6
above #80,000	7	4.2
Sex	95	57.2
Male
Female	71	42.8
Marital Status	81	48.8
Single
Married	81	48.8
Widow	4	2.4
Educational Status	16	9.6
Non-formal
Primary	19	11.4
Secondary	67	40.4
Tertiary	64	38.6
Occupation	54	32.5
Student
Civil Servant	27	16.3
Trading	15	9
Professional	9	5.4
Farming	31	18.7
Artisans	30	18.1
Religion	37	22.3
Islam
Christianity	121	72.9
Traditional	8	4.8
Indigene	125	75.3

 

Table 2    Respondents Ecotourism Related Characteristics

Variables	Frequency (f)	Percentage (%)
Go for ecotourism	141	84.9
Place visited
Zoo	27	16.3
Waterfall	118	71.1
Cinemas	10	6
Ever visited a waterfall	136	81.9
How many times visited Arinta
Never	40	24.1
Once	15	9
Twice	11	6.6
Thrice	13	7.8
Several occasions	87	52.4
Interest during visits
waterfall	121	72.9
Rocks	23	13.9
Vegetation	20	12

 

Table 3   Respondents View of Environmental Impacts

Variables	Mean	SD	STATUS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS	3.91	1.04
Noise Pollution			D
Exhaust from vehicles	3.95	1.18	D
Littering	3.7	1.10	D
Degradation	3.67	1.15	D
Over crowdedness	3.6	1.23	D
Ease road access	3.72	1.26	A
Improved environment	3.86	1.15	A
Enhance environment	3.87	1.10	A
Better environment	4.02	1.11	A
Inculcate good habit	4.05	1.08	A

 

Table 4      Respondents View of Socio-Cultural Impacts

Variables	Mean	SD	Status
SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS
Affect residents negatively	3.79	1.03	D
Increase in alms begging	3.68	1.28	D
Tourism enhances criminal activities	3.8	1.17	D
Tourist influence residents value	3.64	1.19	D
Interest in learning tourist culture	2.96	1.11	U
Tourism influences mode of dressing	3.22	1.39	U
Residents show warm welcoming	3.61	1.35	A
Tourists prefer local food	3.99	1.27	A
Cordial relationship between tourists &residents	4.12	1.30	A

 

 

Table 5     Respondents View of Economic Impacts

Variables	Mean	SD	Status
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Improve local income	3.71	1.03	A
Improve employment opportunity	3.76	1.12	A
Raise standard of living	3.92	0.97	A
Increase rate of investment	3.98	0.96	A
Good road network	4	1.05	A
Purchase of souvenirs	4.04	1.00	A

 

Table 6    Distribution of Respondents by Level of Potential Impacts (Overall)

Level of impact	F	%	Mean	SD
Low	76	45.8	94.57	12.43
High	90	54.2

 

Table 7   Relationship Between Respondents Demographic Variables and their Perception of Ecotourism Impacts.

Variables	Environmental				Socio-cultural				Economic
	χ2	df	P		χ2	df	P		χ2	Df	P
Sex	0.63	1	0.43		0.76	1	0.38		0.68	1	0.41
Marital Status	8.39	2	0.01*		0.9	2	0.64		4.29	2	0.12
Education	0.93	2	0.63		1.79	3	0.62		3.8	3	0.28
Religion	7.82	2	0.02*		3.19	2	0.20		1.68	2	0.43
Indigene-ship	3.2	2	0.20		1.26	2	0.53		2.5	2	0.29

 P <0.05 = significant*.

 

          

Report of In-Depth Interview (IDI) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

The report of the FGD and IDI revealed that there were no restrictions of entering the site as everyone is allowed to go in with a certain gate fee. While students are made to pay a mandatory sum of N100, their adult counterparts pay N200 as gate fee. The study further revealed that no illegal activities are done on the site. It was stated during the FGD session that there were no challenges faced by the community as a result of tourist visits. The respondents were asked about their desire for a development of the site, like everyone who desires something good especially after identifying a great importance of it, they responded that they wish that the government will help develop the tourism site so that more tourists will come visiting.

There were responses to the benefits enjoyed from tourists visits to the site. “Our farm produce are been displayed and we experience a great sale especially during festive seasons due to the influx of tourists during that season” – according to them. They further revealed that there will be increase in employment opportunities for their youths so they don’t have to travel and leave the village in search of jobs.  “Non-governmental organizations will visit our community and invest in it by building hotels, and when this is done there will be improvement in our social amenities like electricity, road and so on”. When enquired about their relationship towards visitors, they stated that there is always tourist’s interest in learning the language and culture of their host. The king further added that villagers learn the culture and also through host-visitors interaction, the villagers are enlightened on what development occurs in the city, which implies that visitors serve as agent of civilization to the community.

When asked if citizens of the community are involved in the decision making of the ecotourism site, they replied that they were not involved before, until they lodged their complaints through the king to the appropriate authorities  and that brought about the employment of an indigene as a member of staff. The king’s response also agreed to their statement while he showed displeasure in the way the government is handling the place because there is no thorough supervision by the government officials who just left the running of the site in the hands of the staff who at times, are not truthful in remitting the gate fee paid by tourists to  the government.

Finally, the respondents showed great interest and  expressed a great joy when enquired if they desire for a development of the ecotourism site and their suggestion towards the development, they stated that  if there is a development at the site, it will be of great benefit  to their community  as more of their goods will be purchased and transported outside the village and the that their community will also be internationally recognized like their neighboring village ‘Ikogosi’ and they further noted that a development of the place can provide portable water for the village use if dammed and also can be  useful for fish farmers. They also showed the willingness to contribute to the development of the tourist site if given the opportunity and if given the assurance that their suggestions will count in the decision making.

On the path of Ekiti state tourism board, the director who was interviewed also welcomed the idea of upgrading the ecotourism site, Arinta water fall but the only clog identified was lack of funds. According to him, the government would not mind to partner with private investors to carry out an upgrade of the fall for recreational purpose and which will be able to compete favourably with standard tourism sites.

 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Personal characteristics of the respondents indicated that they were mostly in the age bracket 21-30years and they are either married or single. The proportion of the male respondents was slightly higher than the female. It was also gathered that the average monthly income of the respondents is N34, 608.06 and most had attended or completed secondary school and are also mostly Christians.

 The level of education of the residents ,to a reasonable extent, influence their level of comprehension of issues. Their opinion that ecotourism activities will rather improve and enhance the environment to causing environmental pollution and noise from tourists is borne out of a shallow perspective . It is very clear that their response is myopic because they have not been able to conceive the true picture of the extent of what an upgrade is capable of doing to their environment.

Turker and Ozturk (2013) concluded that residents are positive towards tourism development by the reason of the economic impacts in their community. They further stated that tourism is viewed as a means of rejuvenating the area, creating jobs and attracting people back to the area to work in the tourism industry which was emphasized during the interview sessions held. However, when the concept of ecotourism was explained, the residents had a very positive attitude to it  and readily welcomed the idea of the development of the ecotourism site, this they admitted when asked during the group discussion.            

The socio-cultural impacts of tourism such as showing cordial relationship were perceived positively by the residents of Ipole-Iloro. Although they were conservative, they generally welcome tourists and also have cordial relationship with them. There is a high level of visitation of residents to the site especially during festive or holiday period. The joy of seeing visitors amidst them create a sense of acceptance by the residents, showing a cordial relationship as reflected with a total mean of (M=4.12).

 Some of the challenges identified by the residents concerning low patronage were inherent lack of publicity, inadequate promotional activities and low level of development of the tourist destination . These has made a quite low turn up by visitors compared to other well known tourism destination like Ikogosi warm spring ,situated about 10km away.   According to what Ambroz (2008) noted, tourism will develop and grow effectively when local residents see their role in the process of the tourism development. Reverse is the case in this particular instance. Residents complained of  not  been allowed to be involved in the decision making and development of the tourist site. The intervention of the king and his kinsmen only yielded the employment of  an indigene as a member of staff on the ecotourism site. This is far from been adequate. There is need for residents of the community to have a sense of recognition as an important  stakeholder .Choi and Sirakaya (2005) advocated that residents are major stakeholders in leisure and tourism management which suggests that the support of the community is essential for tourism development,  successful operation and sustainability of tourism. In the course of the focus group  discussion, it was gathered that the residents are willing to support and contribute to any development to the system if given the opportunity and assurance that their suggestions will count in the site’s decision making.

It is in the opinion of the respondents that tourism activity can improve their local income, employment opportunity  and infrastructure opportunities. They also noted that tourists on their visit, purchase their crafts and other local items when leaving. An observation made was that most tourists that visit are  excursionist, who after their visit to the site, leaves for the capital city or a well developed nearby city to lodge in a comfortable hotel. Lack of adequate facilities such as hotels, restaurants, telecommunication to mention a few are the challenges.

The relationship between selected respondents demographic characteristics and ecotourism related variables with their perception on ecotourism impacts reveals that Marital Status (χ²=8.39, P = 0.02) and religion (χ²=7.82, P=0.02) of the respondents has significant relationship with the respondents perception on the impacts of ecotourism on the environment. This  implies that  marital status and religion of the respondents has effect on what the respondents think about the impacts of the development of ecotourism on their environment. The study further reveals that Sex (χ²=0.77, P=0.38), Education (χ²= 1.79, P=0.62) and Religion (χ²= 3.19, P=0.20) has no significant relationship with the respondents perception on the impact of ecotourism on the socio-cultural aspect of the community. Also, there is no significant relationship between respondents’ demographic variables with the economic impacts . This implies that sex, religion and education do not have effect on what household perceive about ecotourism economic and socio-cultural impact on their community.

 

SUGGESTED UPGRADE FOR THE ECOTOURISM SITE

The pathway leading to the fall is just a path formed due to frequent passage which may cause slip-off and injuries to tourists if they dash their feet against the rocks, so a boardwalk should be constructed. This will ease tourist access to the waterfall. A Boardwalk is a constructed pedestrian walkway along or overlooking beaches, usually built with wood board; or as walking paths and trails over bogs and wetlands and above fragile ecosystems. Iroko tree can be used for this boardwalk as it has been researched as being durable (Kurjatko et al., 2006) and does not require regular treatment with oil or varnish when used outdoors (Westin and Mike, 2013). The use of boardwalk has its environmental significance as it does not get hot as composite decking at the beach or in direct sunlight. An annual maintenance is necessary as most timber boardwalks can continue to look nice for 7-12years.

Old trees which are on the pathway leading to the waterfall need to be felled, cut into chunks and sold. There were instances in which some of the trees had fallen unexpectedly. This can endanger  the lives of the tourists visiting the site. It is suggested that new trees  be  planted along the sides of the proposed boardwalk leading to the waterfall.

The broken plastic seats made for relaxation of the tourists should be replaced. The huts meant for tourist relaxation, which are not in good shape  should be upgraded. A beautiful landscaping with beautifying flowers should be done (figures 1 and 2).

The dilapidated signboard in figures 9 and 10 should be replaced with an attractive signboard which should be erected at strategic points for awareness and direction  to the waterfall.  

A proposed View of the Entrance from the Gate in figure 6 with beautiful landscaping with a befitting car park with trees planted for shade and beautiful flowers should be adopted.

A swimming pool can be carved out from the rocks as seen in figure 8, with its source from the waterfall. Some ,who cannot stand the direct downpour of the torrential fall of water can seize this opportunity to do their swimming. Tourists can engage in swimming there instead of the usual sightseeing which most tourists engage in.

 

CONCLUSION

It is evident that Arinta waterfall is a potential geotourist site capable of promoting recreation and tourism and  on the other hand, improving the standard of living of the residents of  Ipole-Iloro Ekiti, Ekiti State. As identified by the residents, which on the overall, showed that there is a higher percentage of positive potential impacts of ecotourism to their community, an upgrade of the site and its attendant infrastructures is imminent to enhance the development of the host community, Ipole-Iloro Ekiti.

 

Recommendations

1.     Private investors  should be encouraged to take up the responsibility of the development of the site so it can reach a globally accepted ecotourism site but this should be subject to the community opinions and suggestions through adequate consultations and engagement. This is important as lack of community acceptance can have a negative effect on the development.

2.     There should be adequate publicity and promotional activities of this tourist site through the media and other sources.

3.     The distance of the community to the waterfall is  about 42km. It will be necessary that shuttle buses be made available for tourists’ easy access to the village. This could also serve as a good source of income to the members of the community.

4.     Infrastructures like good hotels, motels, good restaurants should spring up either by private entity or Private Public Partnership (PPP). This will encourage more tourists to come for vacation, honeymoon etc and this will add to the economic benefit that will accrue to the town.

 

Fig 1: Showing a Relaxation Hut for Tourist

 

Fig.  2 Showing a Proposed View of a Relaxation Hut.

 

Fig.  3: Showing a Footpath Leading to the Waterfall

 

   Fig.  4: Showing a Proposed View of Developed Foot Path    Leading to the Waterfall

 

Fig.  5: Showing the Entrance to Arinta Waterfall.

 

Fig.  6: A proposed View of the Entrance from the Gate

 

Fig. 7: Showing a Section of the Waterfall

 

Fig. 8: A Scenic View Showing a Proposed Construction of a Swimming Pool

 

Fig.  9: Showing a Dilapidated Signpost

 

     Fig.  10: Showing a Damaged Signpost Showing Direction to Arinta Waterfall