IMPACTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON ECOTOURISM

ABSTRACT This study was intended to examine impacts of environmental degradation on ecotourism development in Nigeria: a case study of Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was guided by the following objectives; To identify specific ecotourism sites on Boki and to determine their potentials in ecotourism development, to highlight human activities that create land degradation which case adverse impacts on environmental quality and turn affect ecotourism development opportunities in Boki Local Government Area, to create the necessary and public enlightenment against activities that cause environmental degradation; and to propose and recommend an action agenda for the foreseen actions which are necessary for environmental restoration and stability that will enhance ecotourism development in Boki Local Government Area and the rest of Cross River State. The study employed the survey research design, questionnaires, and library research to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using the chi square statistical tool at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and percentage. Based on the findings from the study. It was discovered that there was urgent need to create the necessary awareness and public enlightenment programmes against activities that cause environmental degradation in our resource and to put in place environmental and natural resources protection measure on ground, if the state and indeed the Boki Local Government, also do not want to lose the tremendous ecotourism endowment that abound in the area.