Abstract:
Changes of conservation policy from fortress to community conservation aimed at
balancing sustainable conservation and rural livelihoods. However, little is known as to how
much Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) approach contributed to livelihoods
enhancement. Similarly, impacts of wildlife conflicts as a result of successful conservation,
and causes of poverty among local communities are poorly known. This study aimed at
assessing poverty traps and wildlife conflicts in Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve.
Specifically, it assessed people’s livelihood assets and the way institutions modify access to
the assets, the extent of wildlife conflicts and its link to poverty. Both qualitative and
quantitative data were collected. Ninety seven households were randomly selected from
three villages. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data while SPSS computer
software was used for quantitative data analysis. There was reduced access to livelihood
assets especially natural assets. Respondents (60%) felt that they subsidised more than they
benefit from the forest revenues. Household income sources were: agriculture 54.1%,
environmental income 5.6% and non-farm and off-farms contributed 40.3%. Forest use was
mainly for fuel wood and non wood forest products. The total household income increased
with increase in agricultural crop sales and the relationship was significant (P<0.01).
Environmental income reduced income inequality whereby the Gini coefficient without
environmental income in Mughunga, Ngimu and Pohama increased to 0.1, 0.01 and 0.01
units respectively. The overall Gini coefficient decreased to 0.08 units. Community’s
perception on CBFM towards poverty reduction was negative. Wildlife conflicts were
reported by 87.6% of respondents, among them 58.1% of the respondents indicated the
extent of conflicts as high, 27.9% medium and 10% as low. Therefore, this study
recommends for compensation mechanisms to prevent local communities from falling into
abject poverty. Practical implementation of participatory forest management policy to
address clear benefit sharing patterns is inevitable.iii
DECLARATION
I, ANDREW INNOCENT MWAKISU do hereby declare to the Senate
