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This study investigated the Natural Resources conflicts in Doma, Maharaka and Mkata villages surrounding Mikumi National Park. The study assessed human-elephant, human-carnivore and farmers and livestock keeper’s conflicts. Field observation, household survey, field interviews and in-depth interviews were used to find the required information. The collected information were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Losses due to elephant consumption increased year after year in all three villages. Human-carnivore, farmers and pastoralist conflicts were serious in Mkata village only where farmers and pastoralist co-exist. Carnivores are blamed for attack, wound and kill livestock whereby, pastoralists are blamed for taking their livestock in peasants’ farms. Bottom-up approach, alternative sources of income, and discouraging nomadism were proposed as mitigation measures to reduce those conflicts. It was concluded that quantification of losses and diversification of economic activities on villages around the National Park, can be a way towards reduced Natural Resource use conflict. Studies on quantification of losses, phylogenetic study to identify the origin of conflicting carnivores, and the use of strong perfumes to prevent elephants to enter in farms can provide insight for future peaceful existence of the National Park and the surrounding communities. |
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