CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION OF WATER-BASED ECOTOURISM: THE PERSPECTIVE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE PAGA CROCODILES’ PONDS IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

Ghana boasts of several ecotourist sites such as the Paga crocodile ponds which are contributing to the development of local communities. However, ecotourism is climate sensitive thus any changes in climate consequently affect it. It is therefore, not surprising that climate change is affecting ecotourism. Evidence abounds in Ghana of an increase in temperature and a decrease in mean annual rainfall in all the country’s ecological zones with this having an impact on ecotourism such as the Paga Crocodiles ponds. To promote ecotourism under this changing climate, local communities in the country have put in place some measures to adapt. This article, therefore, interrogates the management of the Paga crocodiles’ pond of the existing practices, perceptions and impacts of climate change, and the nature of the current institutional arrangements to promote adaptation. It specifically addresses these objectives: (i) the practices of the Crocodile ponds as tourist sites (ii) climate change perceptions of and impacts on crocodiles’ ponds and (ii) the nature of current institutions in promoting adaptation. Considered the first study, an exploratory design that used in-depth interviews, observation and desk review was applied to generate primary and secondary data for analysis. Tourist guards, the earth priest, local tourist committee members, elders and other opinion leaders of the two tourist sites were contacted. The results revealed that climate change manifestations in the form of an increase in temperature and a decrease in temperature have significant impacts on the ponds and their tourist activities. Water levels in the ponds decreased while water temperature increased causing the crocodiles out of their habitats which sometimes resulted in their death. The ponds have also been invaded by alien crocodile species that sometimes attack the local reptiles. To adapt, management recombines informal practices and institutions with formal institutions resulting in what is called institutional bricolage.