Analysis of socio-economic impacts of chome nature reserve to adjacent communities in Same District, Tanzania

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Date

2015

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

This study was conducted in Same District, Tanzania to assess the socio-economic impacts of Chome nature reserve (CNR) to adjacent communities. Specific objectives were to: determine benefits accrued and cost incurred on management of CNR; analyze coping strategies of the communities for not accessing CNR; and assess the perceptions of adjacent communities on CNR impacts. A total of 120 household respondents were randomly sampled in 4 villages namely Marieni, Kambcni. Mvaa and Ntenga. Data were collected through household survey using a questionnaire, direct observations, focus group discussion, participatory rural appraisal and literature survey. The Statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to analyze data. Results showed that, 52.5% of respondents responded that water, firewood, and Non -Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are the benefits accrued and accessible. Approximately 57% of respondents specified the costs such as; high price to purchase forest produces from other sources. long walking distance to access forest produces from other sources, inadequate supply of good quality limber and firewood of high calorific value, high rate of firewood consumption, illegal activities in CNR and other sensitive areas such as rivers. Coping strategies were: agriculture for commercial reported by 40% of respondents, tree planting reported by 29% of respondents, off-farming activities reported by 14.2% of respondents, alternative source of energy and energy saver stoves reported by 10.3% and illegal exploration of natural resources reported by 2.5% of respondents. The variables enhancing the livelihoods and conservation of CNR were;- distance from homesteads to CNR (p < 0.01), income (p < 0.01), land ownership (p < 0.05). In order to enhance net benefits for both conservation of CNR and livelihoods, it is recommended that Government through Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) should strongly involving adjacent communities in management of CNR.

Description

Master of science in environmental and natural resources economics

Keywords

Chome Nature Reserve, Socio-economic impacts, Local communities, Same District, Tanzania

Citation