By Samwel Gasuku Mwita and Rita Kahurananga
In Tanzania, conflicts between wild animals and farmers have become a pressing issue, resulting in crop damage, financial losses, and food scarcity in surrounding communities. Elephants, in particular, have been identified as a major cause of these conflicts due to their extensive presence across the country. Rombo district in the Kilimanjaro region serves as a stark example, where elephants destroyed crops valued at 718 million Tanzanian shillings in 2008, leaving farmers devastated and exacerbating food security challenges. Tragically, the human-elephant conflicts claim an average of 20 lives every year, underscoring the urgent need for effective solutions.
These human-elephant conflicts are not limited to Rombo district alone. Communities surrounding the Serengeti and Selous Game Reserve, as well as those near Mikumi, Ruaha, and Tarangire national parks, also face similar challenges. The severity of the damage inflicted by these conflicts varies based on factors such as farm location, proximity to wildlife habitats, availability of natural resources for animals, and the effectiveness of preventive measures. In response to these pressing issues, adult education programmes have emerged as a powerful tool in creating community awareness and finding sustainable solutions to the human-elephant conflict. The Community Based Conservation Training Centre (CBCTC) in Lukuyu Sekamaganga, Songea region, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, has taken a proactive approach by combining traditional and modern approaches.
Preventing conflicts is crucial to mitigate the human-elephant conflict and protect crops and nearby villages. Harmless approaches have been identified to deter elephants before they cause significant damage. Methods such as using extra bright lights, sound amplification, and employing elephant dung mixed with pepper, which emits fumes deterring elephants from invading farmlands, have shown promise. By adopting these non-harmful methods, farmers and villagers can effectively chase away elephants and significantly reduce the risks associated with these conflicts.
However, the role of adult education programmes goes beyond conflict resolution. These initiatives serve as a catalyst for community empowerment and the exchange of knowledge, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern conservation strategies. By engaging community members in learning initiatives, these programmes create a platform for sharing indigenous knowledge, building capacity, and promoting sustainable practices.
In all of the large landscapes where African Wildlife Foundation works to protect biodiversity, the organization engages the people who depend on the natural environment for their economic, social, and cultural welfare. Climate-smart conservation planning, sustainable natural resource management, and conservation-friendly enterprises are powerful tools to reduce the vulnerability of communities in the face of climate shifts and the threat of invading wildlife in their farming spaces. Without such sustainable and proactive participatory measures to mitigate climate change impacts on rural communities, Africa’s unique natural assets suffer. (Foundation, 2023)
Local communities possess invaluable insights into animal behavior, habitat management, and sustainable farming practices, which can significantly contribute to wildlife conservation efforts and address food crises. Workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns provide individuals with insights into the consequences of habitat destruction, poaching, and unsustainable farming practices. This knowledge empowers them to become stewards of their environment, ensuring the long-term conservation of wildlife and the availability of food resources for generations to come.
Additionally, harnessing indigenous knowledge enables communities to implement innovative conservation techniques. Traditional farming practices such as agroforestry and polyculture promote biodiversity, restore habitats, and provide food sources for wildlife while enhancing food security for communities. Indigenous tracking methods and ecological indicators contribute to effective wildlife monitoring and protection. By combining these traditional practices with modern approaches through adult education programmes, we can raise community awareness, address critical issues, and pave the way for sustainable wildlife conservation and reliable food supply in regions surrounding national parks, game reserves, and forests.
To achieve successful wildlife conservation and mitigate food crises, collaborative partnerships are essential between adult education institutions, community leaders, conservation organizations, and government agencies. By working together, these stakeholders can create comprehensive programs that integrate indigenous knowledge, adult education, and conservation efforts, ensuring long-term sustainable change.
To complement indigenous efforts, and as part of AWF’s land-use plans, community capacity is being built to adapt to climate change and provide practical solutions, so communities have options that work for them. For rural small-scale farmers, this involves learning new sustainable farming techniques that ensure higher crop yields, promote soil health, retain water, and ultimately increase incomes. By providing alternatives to communities reliant on forests, we help to protect key forest resources while providing benefits to communities and reducing the conflict between wildlife and these farming communities. Collecting rainwater also mitigates various social and health impacts while also improving the community’s capacity for climate change adaptation as droughts become more frequent. (African Wildlife Foundation, Climate Change, 2023).
As Tanzania continues its journey towards wildlife conservation and food security, the integration of indigenous knowledge into adult education programs holds immense potential. By embracing traditional wisdom, fostering community awareness, and promoting sustainable practices, biodiversity is safeguarded, natural resources are protected, and a future of abundance for both wildlife is ensured.
References
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Climate Change. 2023. https://www.awf.org/land-protection/climate-change.