Contribution Of Village Land Use Plan In Mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflicts In Ikona –Wma, Serengeti District

ABSTRACT

Many rural communities living adjacent to protected areas in developing countries are facing negative impacts as a result of increasing human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs). This study was conducted to assess the contribution of Village Land Use Plan (VLUP) in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. The study involved two villages of Makundusi and Natta Mbisso in Serengeti district. Data were collected through households’ survey; key informants interviews, focus group discussions and archive information, and 122 participants were involved in the study. Results revealed that before the implementation of VLUPs (1997-2006), human wildlife conflicts were increasing at the rate of +9% to +11%. The results also revealed that human-wildlife conflicts started decreasing at the rate of -40% to -49% per year after implementing VLUPs (2007-2016). However in the next 10 years the HWC could start rising possibly due to the VLUP which will be not enough to overtake the population growth of human, livestock and wildlife. Despite the achievements, poor community participation and absence of demarcated boundaries for different land uses were revealed. The results revealed that68.8% of the respondents perceived the VLUP as a useful tool in mitigating human wildlife conflicts in the area. The study concludes that, the VLUP has contributed in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts in the study area. The study recommends that there is need to improve and strengthen the implementation of VLUP towards mitigating the HWC in the area through reviewing VLUPs and their by-laws, enhancing awareness campaign on VLUP, strengthening capacity building for leaders and VLUM team and assurance of funds to undertake monitoring activities of VLUP.

Key words: human-wildlife conflicts, village land use plan and conflict mitigation.