Proceedings of the 4th Scientific Conference of Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST)

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Browsing Proceedings of the 4th Scientific Conference of Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST) by Subject "geo-park"

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    Wildlife, Livestock and Human interface in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area: A review
    (Rangeland Society of Tanzania (RST), 2022) Abiud L. Kaswamila
    Competition for land in rangeland areas which in most cases have limited livelihood options is a major obstacle to socio-economic development of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. Unfortunately, at the time that there are increasing calls for agriculture-led growth in Africa, there is also increased international awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation, both of which are land-based. The link between rural development goals, especially poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation, has for a long time been debated in the scientific literature with opposing views on whether or not the two can simultaneously be achieved. This situation is evident in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in north east Tanzania where people co-exist with wildlife and livestock and where other livelihood options such as cultivation is not allowed and grazing is restricted in some areas (within the crater and in the Northern Highland Forest Reserve). This paper reviews the human- wildlife-livestock interface in this unique protected area with international biodiversity conservation importance which thrives to achieve three goals of conservation of biodiversity, tourism, and community development of the Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe; the three main ethnic groups within the NCA. The findings indicate that for the past six decades since her establishment, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) has been experiencing a number of challenges and success stories. The major challenges among others have been increased human- conservation conflicts, disease outbreaks, climate change, increased alien invasive species, and increased human-wildlife- livestock population. On the other hand, the NCAA has been successful in achieving her goals of increased revenues through tourism, conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage, continued co-existence of humans and animals, support of socio- economic development programmes, and improving the community livelihood. For NCAA to continue surviving for many years to come requires innovative ideas and strategies. Among others should include integrating ethno-modern science range management, increased involvement of community in major issues affecting their livelihoods, strengthening research, destocking, and use of participatory general management plans.