IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Esmail, N. | |
| Investigating conservation conflicts in Musalangu Game Management Area, Zambia | |
| 2014 Full Book | |
Balancing human wellbeing and conservation goals in landscapes characterised by growing populations, poverty and limited space is a major challenge. Identifying solutions for the coexistence of humans and wildlife requires an understanding of both environmental and social dimensions, the latter of which, particularly socio-political components, are often overlooked. This study employed a holistic approach to understanding such conservation conflicts within Musalangu Game Management Area, Zambia. With poor information regarding the scale and scope of conflicts, multiple species and multiple dimensions involved in conflict were investigated simultaneously to better understand the site as a whole. Using household semi-structured interviews, key informants and stakeholder focus groups, relationships between local attitudes and the perceived costs and effectiveness of current conflict mitigation strategies were explored. Conflict costs in Musalangu are diverse, including concerns over human safety, livestock depredation, crop damage and hidden costs further affecting well-being. Results also reveal a wide diversity of conflict-causing wildlife species, including a first formal account of Kudu antelope specializing on cotton. Damage to cotton and maize, two mainstay crops is of primary local concern, affecting almost all households. Unlike cotton, increased maize damage, primarily involving elephants is associated with proximity to the North Luangwa National Park. Current mitigation strategies in Musalangu are complicated by a highly heterogeneous landscape of conflict: a range of costs and diversity of conflict-causing species operating at different spatial and temporal scales. Complex social and ecological interactions unveiled in this study illustrate how patterns of conflict run deep across a system and suggest negative attitudes as a driver of conflict. Thus, an improvement in attitudes is what must drive an improvement of tolerance. Furthermore, unveiled social tensions, primarily the poor relationship between park authorities and local people, which undermine current management, is a critical aspect of the conflict dynamics and where future attention should lie. Considering these wider socio-political factors is necessary for coexistence in areas surrounding North Luangwa National Park so relationships can be improved for future collective action of conservation initiatives with all stakeholders involved. |
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