Previous Article in Journal
Between Maroon Tradition and State Law in Jamaica: A Case Study of Challenges to Environmental Governance in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Illegal Activities for Survival: Understanding the Influence of Household Livelihood Security on Biodiversity Conservation in Tanzania

by
Gasto Jerome Lyakurwa
1,2,
Edwin Sabuhoro
1,3,* and
Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony
1
1
Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
2
Department of Wildlife Management, The College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka P.O. Box 3031, Moshi, Tanzania
3
African Studies Program, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Conservation 2024, 4(3), 339-356; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030022 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 10 April 2024 / Revised: 17 June 2024 / Accepted: 24 June 2024 / Published: 30 June 2024

Abstract

Illegal access of resources within protected areas to meet basic needs plays a significant role in the interaction between individuals, protected areas, and neighboring communities in Africa. However, our understanding of how household livelihoods are linked to this type of illegal access at a household level is limited. Additionally, research on poaching tends to focus on commercial poaching and wildlife trafficking. This study addresses this gap by examining the complex relationship between three types of livelihood security (i.e., food security, financial security, and educational security) and the likelihood of participating in illegal activities in communities surrounding Tanzania’s Mkomazi National Park. To gather data, we surveyed 267 heads of household in 8 villages that were randomly selected out of the 22 villages that border Mkomazi National Park. Structural modeling analysis was used to analyze the data. Our findings indicate that food security is the primary driver of engagement in illegal activities within the park; education security and financial security have limited influence on the likelihood of subsistence poaching when accounting for food security. Interestingly, we observed a correlation between financial security and increased illegal grazing, which can be attributed to individuals with greater financial means purchasing more cattle and thereby increasing the demand for fodder. Addressing food security should be prioritized in efforts to mitigate subsistence poaching within protected areas. Our research highlights the importance of developing sustainable alternatives to ensure food security and meet other essential needs in communities adjacent to Mkomazi National Park. By striking a balance between improving livelihoods and fostering conservation efforts, conservation and development organizations can work towards a sustainable future for both protected areas and people.
Keywords: livelihoods; subsistence poaching; biodiversity; protected areas; wildlife crime livelihoods; subsistence poaching; biodiversity; protected areas; wildlife crime

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Lyakurwa, G.J.; Sabuhoro, E.; Chepkwony, M.C. Illegal Activities for Survival: Understanding the Influence of Household Livelihood Security on Biodiversity Conservation in Tanzania. Conservation 2024, 4, 339-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030022

AMA Style

Lyakurwa GJ, Sabuhoro E, Chepkwony MC. Illegal Activities for Survival: Understanding the Influence of Household Livelihood Security on Biodiversity Conservation in Tanzania. Conservation. 2024; 4(3):339-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030022

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lyakurwa, Gasto Jerome, Edwin Sabuhoro, and Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony. 2024. "Illegal Activities for Survival: Understanding the Influence of Household Livelihood Security on Biodiversity Conservation in Tanzania" Conservation 4, no. 3: 339-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030022

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop