Factors determining the extraction of protected area resources in Tanzania by rural and urban communities

Abstract

Abstract Globally, protected areas (PAs) serve as critical refuges for natural resources, supporting the livelihoods of both rural and urban populations. However, limited empirical research has explored how rural and urban communities differentially access and depend on these resources, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study addresses this gap by using semi-structured interviews across four locations in Tanzania—two rural (Rungwa and Serengeti villages) and two urban (Dodoma and Arusha cities)—to examine patterns of resource extraction from PAs. Our results showed significant variation in resource extraction across the study locations, with Rungwa villages and Dodoma city showing the highest levels, followed by Serengeti villages and Arusha city. We hypothesized that rural residents would be more supportive of resource extraction than urban residents, as nearly 90% of rural populations rely directly on natural resources. The findings partly supported this prediction, with rural residents near Rungwa Game Reserve extracting significantly more resources and benefiting more from protected areas than those in the other locations. However, residents of Dodoma extracted more resources and gained more benefits than those living near Serengeti National Park and in Arusha City. While urban areas like Dodoma also exhibited high levels of resource extraction, the proximity to PAs and direct dependency on resources were more prevalent in rural areas. Factors such as accessibility, economic activities, and local livelihoods shaped these differences. Therefore, these findings underscore the crucial role that PAs play in supporting rural livelihoods, while also highlighting the growing pressures on these areas due to human population growth and limited alternative sources of income for rural communities.