Browsing by Author "Hochi, Rajabu Shabani"

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    Land use conflicts and their implications on wildlife management in Ugalla ecosystem- western Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Hochi, Rajabu Shabani
    Land use conflict is a global wildlife management challenge. Understanding ecosystem specific patterns of land use are a key to addressing this challenge. The study assessed land use conflicts and their implications on the management of wildlife in the Ugalla ecosystem in Western Tanzania. Literature review, household survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews methods and direct observations were used to collect data in two villages each from Urambo and Sikonge Districts. A total of 68 head of household and about 15 key informants were interviewed. Methods used for data analysis included Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft excel. Findings from the study has revealed that, there are different categories of land use conflicts such as wildlife authority versus pastoralist, farmers versus livestock keepers, investors versus communities and livestock keepers among themselves. Most of these conflicts are caused by competition for natural resources such as pasture land, water point and land for agricultural activities. Other causes include conflicting policies such as wildlife, livestock, land and agricultural policies to mention but a few. However, land use conflicts has resulted into decline of some wildlife species, encroachment into protected areas and unwilling of local communities to support wildlife conservation. Different initiatives has been undertaken to resolve land use conflicts including political leader mediation and meeting with traditional and cultural leaders. This study has concluded that there is frequent land use conflict in Ugalla ecosystem due to completion for land and other natural resources such as wildlife. It is recommended that further studies should be undertaken to assess the significant impacts of land use conflicts by looking at the wildlife population trend and land use cover change for the period between 10 to 20 years in Ugalla Ecosystem.