Habitat fragmentation, livelihoods and conservation : implications for Tarangire National Park.
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Date
2003
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Abstract
This study set out to investigate habitat fragmentation and its implications for wildlife
conservation. It focused on Emboreet Ward in the Arusha region of Tanzania, which is in
close proximity to the Tarangire National Park. This area, traditionally occupied by the
Maasai pastoralists, has undergone several changes, not least of which are changes in the
local livelihoods in response to a need for cash and deterioration of state support for
animal health care. Dominating these changes is a shift in livelihood strategies from
pastoralism to a mix of pastoralism and cropping.
Increasingly, land is being cultivated and agricultural opportunities are changing
lifestyles, livelihoods and habitat integrity for wildlife. Fragmentation of habitats outside
the national park has serious implications for the future of pastoralism and conservation,
especially since some species of wildlife migrate seasonally between this park and the
adjoining plains. It also has significance for the Maasai whose approach to domestic
livestock management is deeply rooted in a culture that does not comfortably accord with
the market economy.
The study adopted a case study approach, was mainly qualitative, and relied on both
primary and secondary data sources. Interviews played a critical part in sourcing primary
data from the respondents. Documentary analysis was critical to gathering secondary
data.
The study shows the future of Tarangire National Park to be intricately woven into the
complex and dynamic interaction between the changing economy, the responses of the
Maasai whose culture separates them from the market economy, migrants into the area,
and the government agencies whose intentions appear to be neither clearly expressed nor
interpreted. The study concludes that empowerment lies at the heart of the envisaged
change. This is shown to be a necessity for all stakeholders operating within a proposed
integrating structure.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.
Keywords
Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)., Wildlife conservation--Tanzania--Tarangire National Park., Conservation of natural resources--Citizen participation., Theses--Environmental science.