Abstract:
In many developing countries, there are disputes related to the little support of national parks in sustaining socio-economies oflocal communities compared to other land use practices. Therefore, the study to assess the role of Lake Manyara National Park (LMNP) outreach programme support on socio-economies of local communities adjacent to it was undertaken. The general objective of the study was to generate information on the contribution of National Parkservices supported by LMNP outreach programme to the socio-economies of local communities adjacent to it. The specific objectives were to:(i)identify services supported by LMNP outreach programme to the socio-economies of local communities,(ii) analyze the existing Wildlife Conservation Policy for LMNP, (iii)examine influence of services supported by LMNP outreach programme to the local communities, and(iv)assess the attitude of local communities towards services supported by LMNP outreach programme. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and was conducted in Mto wa Mbu and Majengo wards in Monduli District in Manyara Region,Tanzania. A sample size of 120 respondents participated in this study. The results revealed that LMNP outreach programme had supported irrigation water (irrigation scheme) for 65.8%,lead to increased enrolment in Primary school for 49% (this was through establishment of classrooms and provision of desks), and support in improvement of roads for 75%, (this was through establishment and rehabilitation of roads at rough road level). In addition, the study revealed that LMNP outreach programme did not support establishment of secondary school and provision of safe and clean water for domestic uses. In view of the conclusion it is recommended that Tanzania National Park(TANAPA) and Lake Manyara National Park (LMNP) should make more efforts in supporting establishment of secondary schools and health centres which are actually problems to the communities adjacent to LMNP.
