Conservation attitudes of local people living adjacent to five protected areas in Tanzania

Abstract

A questionnaire survey of conservation attitudes of 1190 people living adjacent to Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Mikumi National Parks and the Selous Game Reserve showed that over 71% were opposed to the suggested abolishment of the adjacent protected area. However, when local people were asked, ‘What good things do people from the adjacent park do?’, 47% reported ‘nothing’. If these same individuals are combined with those who did not answer this question over 71% also held negative or neutral attitudes towards protected area employees. Over 74% of local people felt that poachers are law-breakers. Using a three-way log linear analysis we examined how resource use patterns and problems, and past interactions with the protected area and protected area employees, influence conservation attitudes. Past problems with wildlife, a lack of perceived effectiveness in its control, a shortage of grazing and farming land, problems with flooding, and long-term residency were significantly correlated with support or neutral attitudes toward the abolishment of the adjoining park or reserve. The absence of perceived visitation to a village by a protected area employee, the lack of effectiveness in controlling wildlife, small farm size, problems with flooding, and long-term residency were related to negative attitudes towards protected area employees. Finally, the frequency with which an individual ate meat per month was related to opinions about whether poachers are law-breakers.