Improving the conservation status of the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania? The effect of joint forest management on bushmeat hunting in the Kilombero nature reserve

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Joint Forest Management (JFM) in a component of the Kilombero Nature Reserve recently gazetted to improve the conservation status of high biodiversity forests in the Udzungwa Mountains of the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot. The evaluation is based on a temporal comparison spanning seven years of JFM and establishment of a Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) ranger station, using bushmeat hunting as an indicator. Results reveal that the number of active hunters had declined, primarily due to TANAPA's patrolling. But hunting effort had been displaced from hunting with fi rearms in the grassland to hunting with traps and dogs in the forests, thus increasing the threat to endemic species. Hunters perceived few benefi ts from JFM, and the new opportunities were largely unused, inaccessible and communal in nature. Suspicions of embezzlement of JFM funds, and high village development contributions were important drivers of continuing hunting. Dissatisfi ed with JFM, most inactive hunters actually preferred that TANAPA manage the forest instead. Considerable attention to correcting these problems is required before this model of JFM should be scaled up and implemented in the remaining villages surrounding the Kilombero Nature Reserve.

Factors Determining the Choice of Hunting and Trading Bushmeat in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

“…At the same time, the redirection of work effort would produce compensating production values in the new occupations. These efforts should be complemented by interventions targeted at increasing the availability of domestic animals, reducing the price of domestic animal meat, addressing corruption of enforcement staff, limiting the availability of firearms, and involving local communities in the area's management through decentralization of management rights and responsibilities, which has been shown to be important aspects in explaining wildlife trends in adjacent areas (Nielsen ; Nielsen & Treue ; Nielsen & Meilby ). Regardless of which combination of these management recommendations are selected, the outcome needs to be monitored because large‐scale implementation of policies will have equilibrium effects not accounted for in studies such as this.…”

Hunting and trading bushmeat in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania: motivations, cost-benefit ratios and meat prices

“…TANAPA has previously almost eliminated licensed as well as unlicensed firearms in nearby locations through use of local informers and a period of safe conduct with compensation for handing over firearms (Nielsen 2011). Most hunters depended on renting firearms from retired or active staff from the nearby national service military station, and from others owning licensed firearms.…”

Distribution and genetic diversity of the Endangered Abbott’s duiker Cephalophus spadix in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania

“…Nielsen & Treue (2012) report de creased hunting activity and a significant increase in relative antelope density 7 yr after implementation of JFM in New Dabaga-Ulang'ambi. These effects were associated with the apparent re-estab- On the other hand, results from Kilombero Nature Reserve in the Udzungwas, where a ranger station staffed by Tanzania National Parks was constructed in addition to the implementation of JFM, indicate that the increased patrolling effort displaced hunters from savanna woodland areas into Ndundulu and Nyumbanitu forests, thereby increasing the threat to Abbott's duiker (Nielsen 2011). These results indicate that enforcement of hunting bans can facilitate recovery of populations of Abbott's duiker and other species.…”