Impact of tourist hunting on local communities in Kagera Nkanda and Nyationto wards Kasulu District, Tanzania

This study –investigated the impact of tourist hunting industry (THI) on local communities (LCs) in Kagera Nkanda and Nyakitonto Wards, Kasulu District Tanzania. The study employed purposive and random sampling methods. There were 207 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussion, documentary review and observation methods. The study findings revealed that only Tourist Hunting Outfitters (THOs) and village game scouts (VGS) (64% of LCs benefited from THI whereas LCs (93.6%) were excluded from wildlife Resources Conservation (WRC). Furthermore, THI violated Tourist Hunting Regulations (THR) that cropped into competition and conflicts among land uses. It was also revealed that. Kasulu District Council diverted income accrued from THI to other uses which exacerbated LCs discontent on THI, and environmental degradation that gives way to unsustainable use of wildlife resources. It was thus concluded that THI had underdeveloped LCs livelihood initiatives. The study also found no constructive WRC due to poor Modern Environmental Knowledge systems (MEKs) among VGS. As a result the sustainability of THI was uncertain. The policy failure has encouraged destruction of habitats and loss of biodiversity. The study recommended that improvements should be made in various organizational aspects such as Wildlife Conservation Act, approach in policymaking, and running of THI under joint venture between. The Central Government (CG) THI, Local Government,(LG) and local communities (LCs) have to be considered. In so doing the CG through Wildlife Division (WD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, (MNRT) should devolve some of its power and WRC roles to local authorities (at LCs level) in order accommodate LCs interest in THI.