PUBLIC-ATTITUDES AND NEEDS AROUND KASUNGU-NATIONAL-PARK, MALAWI

A survey of people's needs and attitudes around Kasungu National Park shows that there are 11 resources that the people want to utilize from the Park. Bee-keeping is the most popular activity. Others include co llection of caterpillars, firewood, building materials and mushrooms. There is no significant difference in demand for all these resources b etween subsistence and commercial farmers (t = 3.26, n = 11, p > 0.01) . Also, the difference between commercial farmers and urban respondent s is not significant (t = 1.92, n = 11, p > 0.01). On the other hand s ignificantly more commercial than subsistence farmers need land from t he Park, while more subsistence than commercial farmers wish to harves t resources that satisfy basic needs (t = 3.34, n = 11, p < 0.01). The refore, we recommend that the Department should extend the resource us e programme and diversify its activities. The main target communities should be the subsistence farmers in Chulu and Kaphaizi villages. Most respondents to the survey believe that bee-keeping and tree caterpill ar collection are beneficial as a source of food and income. About 90% of the respondents would like to participate in these activities. Thi s is a reflection of positive attitudes towards these activities and i t is enough justification for encouragement of bee-keeping and caterpi llar collection. Although the respondents' attitudes towards the proje ct are not negative, we recommend the involvement of local people in a ll stages of future activities.