Journal of Socioeconomics and Development
Vol 3, No 1 (2020): April

Financial Inclusion, Community Capacity Building and Pro-Wildlife Conservation Behavior around the Northern Periphery of Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon

Nashipu Thalut (PhD student in the department of Economics at the University of Bamenda)
Dobdinga Cletus Fonchamnyo (Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Bamenda, Cameroon)
Molem Christopher Sama (Association Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Buea)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 May 2020

Abstract

The study examines the contribution of financial inclusion and community capacity building on pro-wildlife conservation behavior among rural households at the Northern Periphery of Dja Biosphere Reserve, the east region of Cameroon. The data were elicited through the survey questionnaire administered on a sample of 279 households involved in the program of conservation in the areas. The study used a cluster sampling approach in grouping proximity villages into four zones and a purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the households. The objective was achieved empirically using three-stage maximum likelihood estimation techniques; factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The result shows that financial inclusion and community capacity building had a significant positive effect on pro-wildlife conservation behavior. The magnitude of the effect of financial inclusion on pro-wildlife conservation behavior was even larger than the magnitude of the effect of community capacity building. The findings suggest that financial inclusion and community capacity building had the tendency to reduce the decline in wildlife stocks as it promoted friendly behavior towards wildlife and its habitats. The study, therefore, recommends policies that support financial inclusion and community capacity building that are essential for sustainable conservation since it promotes pro-wildlife conservation behavior.JEL Classification: G20, O15, Q57

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jsed

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Arts Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Socioeconomics and Development (JSeD) is managed by The Study Program of Socioeconomics (Agribusiness), Agriculture Faculty, Widyagama University of Malang. JSeD is published biannually in April and October, and available in printed and online version. ...