Assessment Of The Impact Of Community Conservation Banks On Conservation And Livelihood In Serengeti District

ABSTRACT

This study assessed impacts of Community Conservation Banks on conservation and

livelihood in three villages of Serengati district adjacent to Serengeti National Park.

The villages were Bonchugu, Rwamchanga and Robanda. The study involved 60

COCOBA members who were selected through systematic random sampling

procedures. Besides, the study involved 4 officials who were purposively selected.

Data were mainly collected through questionnaires, interview, physical observation

and focus group discussion. The data were also analyzed using Statistical Package

for Social Science and qualitative data analysis techniques. Results of the study

showed that COCOBA members realized a number of livelihood benefits as well as

conservation improvement. The specific reported livelihood benefits included an

increased family cash income about Tshs. 277,000 to Tshs. 752,000 building better

houses (21.6%), and payment for children’s education (16.7%). Besides, in terms of

conservation initiatives, the respondent members reported to participate in planting

trees (31.6%), protection of water catchment areas (26.7%), conservation and

management of local forests (26.7%) as well as disengagement from poaching

(15%). The reported main challenges faced the COCOBA members were

unsustainable market for their products (21.7%), delay in loan returning (25%) and

low savings (20%). In order to advance achievement of the dual goals of

conservation and promotion of people’s livelihood in the SENAPA’s neighborhood

communities, donors and other local and/or international stakeholders are

encouraged to assist COCOBA in terms of raising the loan fund, as well as ensuring

closer and more sustainable monitoring on the groups especially newly established

ones.