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The study was tailored to assess contribution of hunting tourism on socio-economic development for local communities living in Ugalla Ecosystem particularly in Sikonge, Urambo and Kaliua districts in Tabora and Katavi regions. Specifically the study aimed at; assessing socio-economic status of local communities living in this ecosystem, determining potentials and challenges of hunting tourism in the ecosystem and assessing corporate social responsibilities availed to the local communities in the area by different actors in this industry. The area is estimated to have a population size of five hundred (500,000) people living in the ecosystem.
A sample size of one hundred (100) respondents calculated based on Nassiuma`s formula was taken for the study. The sample comprised of various respondents stratified to villagers, poachers, staff working with the industry in this ecosystem, district natural resources officers as well as the key management officials from related organizations managing the industry in the ecosystem. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, conducting in-depth interviews, field observations and exploring related documents before being analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programs. The results were produced in form of tables, charts, mean/averages, frequencies, photographs, figures and graphs.
The findings show that majority of people living in this ecosystem are poor. Despite the potentialities of the industry, yet the challenges facing the same downplay its achievements in realizing an optimal socio-economic transformation for the life of these people. Most corporate social initiatives have been unreliable and mainly directed to district and community level. The study recommends relevant institutional reforms to be undertaken towards relieving the poor condition of the people, control poaching and thus achieving a sustainable tourist hunting business in Ugalla Ecosystem. |
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