The impact of community based natural resource management on communities livelihoods in Zimbabwe: the case of Masoka, Mbire district

CBNRM aims to create the right incentives and conditions for an identified group of resource users within defined areas to use natural resources sustainably as source of livelihoods. However, little attention has been paid on key issues linking CBNRM and poverty reduction/ alleviation and sustainable rural livelihoods. This study was an attempt to assess the impact of CBNRM on the livelihoods of people of Masoka. A total of 142 households were randomly selected in three wards of which two wards have CBNRM and one was treated as a control. Data collection tools used for data collection included structured questionnaires, semi structured questionnaires, open ended questions and checklists. To analyse the impact of CBNRM on livelihoods t - test and chi square test were used whilst for semi structured and open ended questions content analysis was used. The livelihood strategies in Masoka are agriculture and CBNRM which depend on natural capital whilst the revenue from CBNRM is being used to develop other forms of capital like physical, human, social and financial capital therefore improving the livelihoods of the people of Masoka. When compared to a ward without CBNRM that is Kanongo there is a significant difference in the amount of financial capital meaning Masoka had more financial capital whereby the mean income earnings differ significantly at 95% significance level. Having CBNRM in a ward does not improve the natural capital of the people as noted. Various perceptions of people of Masoka concerning CBNRM were raised which include impact of CBNRM, change on impact and ways to improve the impact of CBNRM on the livelihoods of people. The results of the study have potential to expedite policy decisions regarding CBNRM as well as sustainable management of wildlife and other natural resources in the communities.