Implications of wildlife management areas in biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods: A case of Mbomipa wildlife management area in Iringa, Tanzania

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Date

2016

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the role of MBOMIPA, Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in biodiversity conservation and its contribution to local communities’ livelihoods in surrounding villages. The study was conducted between November 2014 and January 2015 in Iringa District, in four villages of Tungamalenga, Mapogoro (in Idodi Division), Itunundu and Kinyika (in Pawaga Division). Data were collected through questionnaire survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The analysis of the data was done by quantitative and qualitative approaches. In qualitative analysis data were transcribed, manually sorted and analysed through content analysis while in quantitative analysis data were processed and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.Results showed that there was significant difference on responses towards community awareness on biodiversity and WMA activities and their contribution to biodiversity conservation(Chi square; p<0.05) whereby the majority of the respondents were aware of the biodiversity conservation. This asserts that MBOMIPA WMA contributes significantly towards biodiversity conservation manifested in the reduction of a number of illegal activities such as poaching, fire events, illegal off take of woody products and encroachment and also low numbers of poachers arrested. The study further establishes that majority of respondents were participating in conservation activities through reporting illegal activities, rescuing animal, scaring animal, tree planting and anti-poaching control. Furthermore, the study establishes that, communities were benefiting from MBOMIPA WMA despite the fact that majority of respondents were not depending on activities linked to the WMA as their main source of income instead agriculture was the mainstay of their living. They were benefiting through revenue obtained from investors and also through employment. Study concludes that it is important to have proper planning of all activities at WMA so that they complement with local community livelihoods’ activities to impact on conservation activities. Finally, the study recommends a need on expanding the WMA area since the existing initiatives have shown some good prospects of biodiversity conservation.

Description

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA.

Keywords

Biodiversity conservation, Community livelihoods, Iringa, Tanzania, Wildlife management area, MBOMIPA

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