Community livelihood changes and their implications on sustainable conservation of Kitulo national park ecosystem, Tanzania
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Date
2011
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study examined how the establishment of Kitulo National Park (NP) affected
community livelihoods and its implications on sustainable conservation in Makete District
Tanzania. Specifically, the study concentrated on community attitude towards
establishment of Kitulo NP; documenting livelihood changes before and after Kitulo NP.
Also, it focused on determining suitability of new livelihood options to the community
after establishment of Kitulo NP and hence evaluating potential impacts of new livelihood
options after establishment of Kitulo NP and their sustainability. A cross sectional research
design and multi-stage sampling were adopted during data collection. Divisions, wards and
villages were purposively selected. Checklist, direct observation and PRA techniques were
also employed for data collection. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire
which was administered to a sample of 120 household heads. Qualitative data were
subjected to content analysis. Descriptive statistics and index scales were used to measure
attitudes and perception of respondents towards establishment of Kitulo NP. Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse quantitative data.
Multiple regression models were developed to explore relationship between sustainability
of Kitulo NP and changes of the livelihoods of adjacent communities after establishment of
the park. Study revealed that adjacent communities would facilitate both sustainability of
Kitulo NP and livelihoods of local communities. Establishment of Kitulo NP improved
biodiversity conservation in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Furthermore it contributed
in constructing development projects and enhancing livelihoods of neighbouring
communities. It is recommended that conservation projects should be designed on
appropriate and adequate incentive packages which will be suitable for motivating
communities to participate effectively in conservation activities. Also it is recommended
that there should be deliberate efforts to strengthen education, sensitization and awareness creation to adjacent communities before establishing conservation activities. Deliberate
measures should be taken to design proper community and participatory strategies for
establishment of conservation activities.
Description
M.Sc. Dissertation
Keywords
Community livelihood, Sustainable conservation, Ecosystem, Tanzania, Kitulo National Park