POVERTY AND PARKS: INCOME RISK AND OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING PARK USE AND PERCEPTIONS IN POOR, RURAL SOUTH AFRICA

Using panel data from a poor rural village adjacent to a game reserve in South Africa, this paper presents a simultaneous probit analysis of incursions into the park to gather resources and perceptions of the park. Distance of arable land from the park appears to be critical in determining negative perceptions but the effect tails off within a relatively short distance of the park. Income risk is found to play a key role in determining use of the natural capital in the park. Policy options are discussed.