ASSESSING DRIVERS OF RESOURCE-USE CONFLICT IN MAKAO WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, MEATU DISTRICT, TANZANIA

Abstract

Abstract: Protected areas (PAs) have become a significant point of conflict regarding resourceuse because they exist in economically underdeveloped areas harboring significant biodiversity.The research evaluated how restricted access to agricultural land, grazing areas, humanencounters with wildlife and household characteristics influenced conflict occurrences. Thestudy was conducted in Makao Wildlife Management Area in four villages, Makao, Jinamo,Mwabagimu, and Sapa, employing multinomial logistic regression methods to determine themost effective conflict predictors. Data was collected using a questionnaire from 363respondents. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to supplement data.Results demonstrate that respondents who faced restrictions on grazing and cultivation activitiesexperience higher levels of conflict (p < 0.05), supporting Hypothesis 1. Human-wildlifeconflicts resulting from crop raiding, livestock attack and human injury influenced conflict (p <0.01), validating Hypothesis 2. Household size and WMA proximity, along with other sociodemographic factors, were significant (p < 0.05), partially supporting Hypothesis 3. The studysuggests strengthening community participation in WMA decision-making, benefit-sharing anddeveloping compensation or insurance mechanisms for wildlife damage as long-termsustainability of WMAs.