Impact Of Human-Wildlife Conflicts On Natural Resources Management In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Saadani National Park

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to find out the impact of human wildlife-conflicts on

natural resources management in Saadani national park, Tanzania. The data for the

study were collected from three villages vicinity to Saadani National Park

(SANAPA), namely Mkange, Saadani and Matipwili villages. The study cover 97

households survey and 13 key informants interviews including the ward and village

executive officers, District officials and Saadani National Park officials. Both

qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for data analysis. The findings

revealed that the participants were aware of the Human Wildlife Conflicts (HWC)

which exists in Saadani National Park. Most of the HWC are associated by the

increase in population, change of weather and the increase in the wildlife population

in the study area. The results shows that majority of the households are not aware of

the ecosystem benefits which they get from SANAPA. The existence of the HWC

has impacted many, including the death and injuries of people, livestock predation;

destruction of properties as well as the loss of biodiversity. The participants of the

study believe that HWC in Saadani is largely due to the lack of awareness among

people, boundaries disputes and also because there are no appropriate legal

institutions established to educate the people and make reconciliations of the

conflicts. It is concluded in this study that fencing, compensation and establishment

of land right and boundaries are the chief means that could be used to overcome the

HWC in SANAPA and Tanzania in general.