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Eastern and Southern African countries’ authorities managing protected areas have made
an effort to establish wildlife corridors as a respond towards ecological and socioeconomic
benefits of connected ecosystems. However these corridors face with various socio-
economic activities which degrade and fragment their habitats resulting to malfunction of
corridors’ management. The study aimed at examining socio-economic activities
impacting management of Selous-Niassa wildlife corridor. Data were collected using
questionnaire survey, key informants interviews, focus group discussions, direct
observation and secondary materials. Collected data were contently and statistically
analysed. Field results indicated that 86.7% of respondents claimed that land allocated for
settlement, agriculture and livestock keeping is not enough. Poached ‘elephants’ carcasses
from 2010 to 2012 showed increasing poaching by 33.3% per year. Charcoal production,
honey gathering, clearance for cultivation and local beliefs resulted to increase wildfires
by at least 12% per year from 2010-2015. However, PAs within SNWC have insufficient
involvement of local communities (81.7%). Consequently, human population increased by
75% from 1988 to 2012 resulting to acceleration of corridor degradation and
fragmentation. Multivariate linear regression analysis reveals that, respondents sex, years
lived in a village, and size of land owned are socio-economic factors which are statistically
significant and positively influencing encroachment of SNWC at (b=0.153, p<0.05),
(b=0.161, p<0.05) and (b=0.484, p<0.05) respectively. The study concludes that,
management of SNWC is fairly sustainable. It is recommended that, more understanding
on resource use values to local communities is imperative. Furthermore; man power, field
gears and financial support to SNWC are vital for effective management of biodiversity
and sustenance of ecosystem services. |
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