Analysis of socio-economic impacts of chome nature reserve to adjacent communities in Same District, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
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