Community-Based Conservation, Income Governance, and Poverty Alleviation in Tanzania: The Case of Serengeti Ecosystem
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Date
2013
Authors
Wawire, N. H. W.
Mwakaje, Agnes G.
Manyasa, E.O.
Muchai, Muchane
Ongare, David
Mugoya, Charles
Masiga, Clet Wandui
Nikundiwe, Alfeo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE
Abstract
Protected areas occupy about 27% of Tanzania’s land of 945,000 sq km and contribute
17.5% of its GDP. But who benefits from and pays for the cost of conservation?
This study provides insights into these issues based on a survey conducted in the
Serengeti ecosystem, involving 20 villages in Serengeti and Loliondo. The results show
that villagers received insignificant benefits from conservation compared with the
costs they are incurring. Governance of income at the village level was also a major
challenge. There was a lack of capacity to handle large amounts of money and little or
no planning, transparency, and accountability. It is recommended that income allocation
to the communities is increased and external audits of village funds are conducted.
Communities should furthermore be allowed to extract resources sustainably in
protected areas. Youth should be encouraged to attend higher education and wildlife
technical colleges to learn about the values of wildlife. Finally, the governance structures
must be improved to make them gender equitable, participatory, transparent, and fully
accountable to the communities and all citizens.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Tanzania, Serengeti ecosystem, poverty, governance, benefits, conservation
Citation
Journal of Environment & Development 22(1) 51– 73