Assessment of socio-economic activities of people doing unlicensed hunting in Katavi national park: a case study of Mpimbwe village

Socio-economic activities of people play a fundamental role in development at the local, national or international level. This study investigated relationships between the socio-economic activities of people in Mpimbwe village and unlicensed hunting in Katavi national park. In particular, it sought to investigate the socio-economic activities practised by the people in Mpimbwe village. It explored how unlicensed hunting is practised in KNP which surrounds Mpimbwe villages. And suggest ways, for reducing unlicensed hunting in the Katavi national park.The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between socio- economic activities and people doing unlicensed hunting in KNP. Interview and direct observation were primary data collection. Library sources and the Internet were used for secondary data collection. However, the main assumption and expectation was to examine the influence of the socio-economic activities of people doing unlicensed hunting in the KNP. The study found out that the socio-economic activities of people in Mpimbwe village had a close relationship with doing unlicensed hunting in KNP. Evidence shows that people in Mpimbwe are poor and cannot support their daily lives. As a way of solving problems and supplementing their income, they preferred to do unlicensed hunting. They do poor agriculture, have little education and informal businesses. However lack of understanding of the hunting was discovered as one of the factors which influenced villagers to do unlicensed hunting. The study recommended that KNP and government should work hand-in-hand with people at the grassroots in Mpimbwe to improve their socio-economic activities especially agriculture and livestock keeping. These would in turn increase the incomes and be able to reduce poverty and hence reduce unlicensed hunting in KNP.