Abstract:
This study was conducted in Mpimbwe and Inyonga divisions in Rukwa region,
Tanzania. It examined the contribution of community-based wildlife management
(CBWM) to poverty reduction. Specifically the study intended to assess actors,
benefit-sharing systems of CBWM, contribution of CBWM to local livelihoods and
poverty reduction, the role of illegal use of Katavi National Park in poverty
acceleration or deceleration and to identify strategies that would contribute to
poverty reduction. Socio-economic data were collected through direct observation,
questionnaire survey and interviews. The household survey involved 120
households. Assessment was done with reference to use of natural resources,
accessibility and use of park products, livestock reared, crops grown and their
contribution to livelihoods. Socio-economic data were analyzed using SPSS 12
program, content analytical tools and structural-functional analytical tools. Types of
crops grown, amount consumed and cash obtained were analyzed using Microsoft
excel 2007. Chi-square test at 5% level of significance was employed to test if there
was significant change in utilization of resources by communities. The study
revealed that CBWM actors had their roles that contributed to poverty reduction.
Central government formulates rules and policies. Local government acts as a bridge
between the central government, residents and non-governmental organizations.
Mpimbwe WMA authority provided advice to residents on protection of wildlife
resources while local communities acted as participants in environmental
conservation programmes. Existence of CBWM activities around Mpimbwe WMA
facilitated land use planning. CBWM practices contributed to decreased poaching
and illegal harvesting of forest resources. It was revealed that the implemented
poverty reduction strategies were effective through increased agricultural outputs. It
is recommended that communities should be facilitated to access capital for
developing more income-generating activities. Moreover, there is a need to monitor
regularly and evaluate the performance of CBWM activities by scaling up to other
areas.
