Benefit-sharing and Managerial Capabilities of Indigenous Wildlife Management: The Case of the Ngarambe-Tapika WMA

Abstract

Wildlife management areas (WMAs) are set for the conservation of wildlife and the improvement of livelihoods. Despite implementation, for more than 16 years some Tanzanian WMAs did not assess their successes and failures. The Ngarambe-Tapika WMA was among un-assessed WMAs in benefit acquisition, the capability of indigenous chosen to join WMAs, and challenges facing the managerial authority. Given the paucity of information on the aforementioned aspects, a comprehensive study was undertaken using questionnaires and interview surveys from indigenous authorities and community members that are not in the managerial system. 82.9% of the respondents receive benefits allocated to the ecosystem. About 90% of the respondents declared that the indigenous authority chosen to join the WMAs managerial system can undertake their tasks. The reported challenges included insufficient managerial infrastructure and limited awareness of conservation regulations related to reconciling human-wildlife conflicts. The study recommends the improvement of managerial infrastructure and regular training for the managerial authority.