The Effectiveness Of Consolation Scheme In Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict To The Communities Neighbouring Rungwamuhesi-Kizigo Game Reserve In Singida Region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of consolation scheme in reducing human-wildlife conflict to the communities neighbouring Rungwa-Muhesi-Kizigo game reserve in Singida Region, Tanzania. The study was governed by four specific objectives namely;to examine the extent of implementation of consolation scheme to the people affected by wildlife in Rungwa-Muhesi-Kizigo game reserve, to assess the performance of consolation scheme in terms of people access to the scheme benefits,to examine the contribution of consolation scheme in reducing humanwildlife conflict, and to identify the challenges facing people affected by wildlife in the process of gaining consolation and propose measures to make consolation scheme effective. The study employed a case study research design and mixed approach comprising of qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection. The study was also guided bya theory of “Struggle for Existence” which was developed by Charles Darwin in 1859. Data were collected through household survey, interview and observation. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 and Microsoft Excel while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis.Findings showedthat the implementation of consolation scheme to the people affected by wildlife in Rungwa-Muhesi-Kizigo game reserve was poor and less effective.The majority of households affected by wildlife werenot aware of the consolation scheme.Most of the people affected by wildlife were not paid,and the consolation scheme currently does not contribute in reducing the human wildlife conflict. The challenges that were identified to hinder the community affected by wildlife from gaining consolation included delay of payments, poor commitment ofvillage leaders and lack of knowledge of community on procedures to gain consolation from the scheme. It is concluded that consolation scheme is not effective in reducing human-wildlife conflict in the study area. It is recommended that the Government of Tanzania under the Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism should pay all pending consolation to community members affected by wildlife since 2017 so as people can gain their rights.Also the Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism under Wildlife Authority has to establish the project of constructing water channels within the game reserve so as to reduce the migration of wildlife to human settlements in searching for water.