Wildlife resorces outside procted area and poverty reduction in Sikonge district, Tanzania

Abstract

In Tanzania, wildlife resources outside protected areas are assuming an ever greater importance. However, the role of wildlife management as an engine for rural development and poverty reduction has received too little attention. In order to fill the existing knowledge gap this study aimed at assessing contribution of wildlife resources found outside protected areas to poverty reduction in Sikonge District Tabora Region, Tanzania. Based on the closeness to wildlife protected area, Ipole ward was selected as a study area. All four villages in Ipole ward bordering Ipole Wildlife management Area (WMA) were purposively selected to constitute the sample in a household survey complemented by participatory data collection methods. There have been disparities as far as benefits to villages are concerned. However, it was evident that WMAs are important to livelihoods across all four villages located in the vicinity of PAs. Receipts from tourist hunting and photographic tourism are gathered centrally by government before being partially redistributed to communities located adjacent to PAs. In addition, tourist hunting companies have entered into contract with Ipole WMA and had formulated initiatives to make donations in order to support community projects. This has reduced a burden of raising funds for community service facilities such as schools and health facilities. Interestingly, illegal hunting for food, bushmeat business and charcoal burning were termed by respondents as "benefits". However, villages with WMAs do not enjoy full use of wildlife resources despite their being Authorized Associations (M).It is perceived that, the benefits outweigh the costs of living close to protected wildlife resources. Perceived attitudes towards WMA establishment are crucial to the success of resources conservation initiatives of protected areas. Understanding the underlying factors, which influence the attitudes of households, is essential if sound advice is to be provided to policy makers who are attempting both to conserve the wildlife ecosystems and promote economic development for poverty reduction.