Exploring Solid Waste Management (SWM) Behaviour in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Abstract

The expansion of tourism activities in protected areas increases the potential for waste generation, posing a threat to these sensitive environments. Despite growing environmental concerns around waste management in Southern African protected areas, research on waste management practices in Namibia’s national parks remains sparse, particularly from a behavioural point of view. This study aims to explore the factors influencing solid waste management behaviour in Etosha National Park (ENP), employing an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a framework to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement. The focus is placed on the behaviours of both tourists and staff members within ENP. The research was conducted from 2022 to 2024, with on-site data collection carried out from 28 April 2023 to 2 May 2023. A total of 57 tourists and 18 staff members participated in structured survey questionnaires designed according to the TPB framework. Tourist data was gathered exclusively from the main camp, Okakuejo, (n=57), while staff data was collected from Okakuejo Camp (n=8), Dolomite Camp (n=4), Olifantsrus Camp (n=2), and Galton Gate Camp (n=4). In addition, observations across central and western parts of the park provided insights into the realworld waste management conditions. Structured open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews were used to assess the perceived challenges and opportunities for improving waste management behaviour, as well as future prospects for waste management within the park.The results of this research indicate that tourists generally held positive attitudes towards waste management and perceived it as well-managed within ENP. Awareness and perceived moral obligation were found to be most influential when attempting to understand the behavioural intentions of participants. However, some international tourists identified areas for improvement, such as enhancing waste management infrastructure, services, and public education. Staff responses suggested that, while waste management practices were considered adequate, there were observed instances of littering and insufficient waste separation in staff areas, attributed to limited waste services. This study faced some limitations, especially regarding the number of staff members who were willing to participate in the research. It is recommended that future research be focussed on improving the sample size of staff – by including all camps within the park and employing local researchers. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the state of waste management in ENP.