Factors Influencing People Encroachment of Protected Areas in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAS): A Case Study of Selous-Niassa TFCA

Abstract

Eastern and Southern African countries’ authorities managing terrestrial transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) have made an effort to establish wildlife corridors as a respond conservation areas (TFCAs) have made an effort to establish wildlife corridors as a respond towards ecological and socioeconomic benefits of connected ecosystems. However towards ecological and socioeconomic benefits of connected ecosystems. However these corridors face various socio-economic activities which which degrade and fragment their habitats resulting to malfunction of corridors’ management. The study aimed at examining root resulting to malfunction of corridors’ management. The study aimed at examining root factors influencing encroachment of Selous-Niassa wildlife corridor Selous Niassa wildlife corridor (SNWC). Data were collected using questionnaire survey, key informants interviews, focus group discussions, collected using questionnaire survey, key informants interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation and secondary materials. Collected data were contently and statistically direct observation and secondary materials. Collected data were contently and statistically analysed. Results indicated that natural forests dominated analysed. Results indicated that natural forests dominated by villages accounted higher (52% (262 562 ha)) in Liwale district compared to central government which accounted higher in (262 562 ha)) in Liwale district compared to central government which accounted higher in Nanyumbu district (97% (60 915 ha). These forests faces encroachments for livelihoods Nanyumbu district (97% (60 915 ha). These forests faces encroachments for livelihoods, fuelwood collection, charcoal burning, and includes lumbering, timbering, building poles, fuelwood collection, charcoal burning, and other activities. Human population increased by 75% from 1988 to 2012 resulting to other activities. Human population increased by 75% from 1988 to 2012 resulting to acceleration of corridor degradation and fragmentation. Regression analysis reveals that, acceleration of corridor degradation and fragmentation. Regression analysis reveals that, among other socio-economic factors; respondents sex, years lived in a village, and size of espondents sex, years lived in a village, and size of land owned are statistically significant and positively influencing encroachment of wildlife land owned are statistically significant and positively influencing encroachment of wildlife corridor in Selous-Niassa TFCA at (b=0.153, p<0.05), p<0.05), (b=0.161, p<0.05) and (b=0.484, p<0.05) respectively. Some protected areas within the corridor of Selous me protected areas within the corridor of Selous-Niassa TFCA are inadequate conserved due to shortage of staffs and equipment especially forest reserves inadequate conserved due to shortage of staffs and equipment especially forest reserves (Nyera-Kipelele, Angai, Lionja, Mchonda, Ndechela, Mbangala) within Liwale, Nachingwea Kipelele, Angai, Lionja, Mchonda, Ndechela, Mbangala) within Liwale, Nachingwea tricts in Tanzania’s side of TFCA. The study concludes that, management and Nanyumbu districts in Tanzania’s side of TFCA. The study concludes that, management of SNWC is fairly sustainable. It is recommended that, more understanding on resource use 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 values to local communities is imperative. Furthermore; man power, field gears and financial support to protected areas within the corridor of Selous-Niassa TFCA are vital for effective support to protected areas within the corridor of Selous management of biodiversity and sustenance of ecosystem services. Management of biodiversity and sustenance of ecosystem services.