Bridging the Gap Between Researchers, Policymakers and End Users through Open Distance Learning: Experience at The Open University of Tanzania

This paper is premised on an unmistakable fact of the existence of a hiatus, a disjuncture between knowledge production and knowledge utilization. It argues that there is need for change of mindsets at both ends, and proposes a programme of action that involves all stakeholders into a partnership. The experiences gained through different research activities at The Open University of Tanzania are analysed bringing out their strengths and weaknesses in transmitting the knowledge generated to end users and proposes what needs to be done in order to move forward by widening research objectives which go beyond intellectual needs and desires. This enlarged scope should include a dissemination strategy which leads to utilization of knowledge so produced. The paper concludes with a proposal for a national dialogue which will lead to identification of priority areas in the national and regional economy that can be addressed through University research and dissemination plan in collaboration and with the support of government and the private sector.Key Words: research utilization, policy makers and end users; open and distance learnin

Incentives for wetlands conservation in the Mufindi wetlands of the Great Ruaha River Tanzania

Sustainable wetland management has to some extent become a high  priority for world’s environmentalists. Achieving sustainable wetland  management may require an increase in the voluntary adoption of best  management practices by both local communities and the government. This may be preceded by more tailored suite of incentive measures which  are effective in encouraging local people to adopt proper management practices. This study presents results from a study done in the Little Ruaha catchment of the Great Ruaha River Basin. Household surveys were done to assess the relevant incentives for wetlands management and how local  communities perceived the incentive and incentive mechanisms for sustainable wetland management. It was revealed that not every member of the community was motivated to conserve wetland and thus the  perceived wetland conservation incentives also vary greatly. Among  preferred incentives were; joint management, privatization, alternativeincome generating activities and land use rights/legal land ownership. Government policies and regulations were not perceived as real incentives. This study recommends a ‘tool-box’ of incentives which will encourage a range of local people in different situations to conserve wetlands. However, the tool box of incentives and their programs should be implemented with extra cautions as it may result into perverse incentives and consequently lead into unequal benefit sharing becoming disincentives to conservation and further degradation of wetlands.Key Words: Incentives; Disincentives; Wetlands; Great Ruaha Rive

Wildlife Safari Tourist Destinations in Tanzania: Experiences from Colonial to Post-Colonial Era

Tanzania is currently one of the world's most visited countries for wildlifetourism, but its main destinations are at risk from changes in climate and localland-use. The consequences of these changes on tourism demand are,however, unclear. Despite Tanzania's two centuries of experience withwildlife tourism, the trends in Tanzania s wildlife tourism demand are poorlyunderstood. Insights into past, current and future tourists motivations andpreferences are thus vitally important to successfully manage wildlife safaritourist destinations and tourism. This study aims to document and explain thedevelopments in tourist motivations and preferences since the early 19thcentury. Changes in motivation and preferences, and the consequent wildliferesource utilization are analysed. These study recapitulates two centuries ofwildlife resources governance. Wildlife resource uses in Tanzanian protectedareas vary historically from exploration and discovery, ivory collection,hunting for trophies, safaris and nature conservation. These different purposesin different periods are summarised in an annotated map of the evolution anddistribution of Tanzanian tourist destinations. The results are relevant forspatial planning and wildlife conservation in relation to tourism. Additionally,the map provides building blocks to develop exploratory scenarios to copewith the current climate and land-use change risk

Gender relations in utilization and conservation of the Kilombero flood plains Ramsar site wetlands, Tanzania

Gender relations refer to the gender dimensions of the social relations  structuring the lives of individual men and women, such as the gender division of labour and gender division of access to and control over resources. This leads to the differentiation of roles that a different gender  has to play in the society. The present study was conducted in the  Kilombero, Morogoro region to investigate gender relations in utilization  and conservation Kilombero wetland resources. Data were collected from six villages namely Mofu, Kivukoni, Idete, Chita, Melela and Mngeta. Household interviews and transect walks were the main approached used  for data collection. It was revealed that men, women, elders, and youth participated in various activities and the utilization of Kilombero wetland  resources. Amongst gender categories, 78.3% of the women, 52.2% of the men, 50% elders and 47.4% youth practiced crop farming. There were more men (62.2%) utilizing the wetland for income alone than those  utilizing the wetland for both income and food (37.8%). More women (41.7%) than men utilized the wetland for food alone. More men (64.4%) than women (63.9%) play an important role in conservation of wetlands  through educating others on sustainable utilization of wetland resources. Elders (43.3%) were reported to participate in wetland resources  conservation by advising youths on sustainable use of resources because they are aware of what is happening today compared to the past. Youth (42.8%) do the same because most of them are educated and are willing to adopt conservation measures. Land in wetlands was accessed by both males and females though total area cultivated by men was larger than  that by women. The wetlands of Kilombero are utilized by all gender for various economic activities though males and young people have the biggest share. This disparity in access to wetland resources can be  eliminated through more awareness on the gender dimensions of wetlands management

Abundance and diversity of wild mammals along a hydrologic gradient in the Usangu Wetlands, Tanzania

This study was conducted in the Eastern Usangu wetland in Mbeya and Iringa regions to examine the composition, abundance and diversity of mammals along a hydrological gradient. Data were collected in two seasonsusing distance sampling method along transects and a handheld GPS to locate positions. Statistical tests (t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson’s correlation) were employed to determine the association between distance and abundance of animals observed along the gradient. Diversity of mammals along the gradient was determined  by a variety of indices using PRIMER 5.0 software. The study revealed that the abundance of animals sighted decreased with distances from the edge of wetland though not statistically significant along the gradient. Flight distances of observed  mammals were high indicating higher degree of disturbances related to anthropogenic activities. Indicators of such disturbances in the wetland areaincluded abandoned farms, demolished houses and livestock dung. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of observed  mammals in the two seasons, where species richness and abundance were higher in the late dry season. These results indicate that the wetland is an important refuge area for mammals as both abundance and diversity  decreased with increasing distance from the edge of the wetland and increases during the dry season. This study recommends a continuous monitoring of birds and mammals populations such as Topi to help in determining the changes in abundance and diversity over time in Usangu wetlands as a result of conservation interventions against anthropogenic disturbances

Wetland related livelihoods, institutions and incentives for conservation in the Great Ruaha River Wetland System

Wetlands are among the world’s most productive environments and of tremendous economic benefits to society. Though wetland utilization for household agriculture and wetland resource extraction for household income generation may be the two most important factors driving wetland  degradation in Tanzania the furtiveness of small decisions makes mitigation efforts exceedingly difficult. Like other families throughout the  world, the decision that Tanzanian families make in regard to the use of wetland resources are strongly influenced by desire to improve their livelihoods. The importance of trade to household economies and as a  determinant of wetland resources status prompts an examination of the potential for using marketbased incentives and relevant institutions to enhance household incomes while conserving wetland biodiversity.  Balanced utilization of wetland ecosystems can be achieved if wetland related livelihoods, institutions and incentives for their management are  well planned, in place and understood by stakeholders. This study was conducted in Malolo B and Msosa villages in the Great Ruaha River wetland system to determine the existing wetland related livelihoods, institutions and incentives for management. The major wetland based livelihoods in order of magnitude are associated with use of wetlands for agriculture,  source of water for various uses, fishing, source of construction material such as for roofing, game meat, earth brick making, fodder/use of wetlands for livestock grazing. About 95% of the population in wetland adjacent communities are involved in agricultural production. The main  institutions involved in wetlands management are grouped in different categories based on the roles they play in wetlands management. These  include connectors, whistle blowers, enforcement, information exchange, management, education and capacity building, lobbying, entrepreneurs,following and reinforcing, leading, rule creation, funding, wrecking and  caring, spiritual. The major incentives for wetlands conservation include clear clear land tenure), alternative income generating activities, joint management and stakeholder participation and privatization of wetland management

Management effectiveness and conservation initiatives in the Kilombero Valley Flood Plains Ramsar Site, Tanzania

Management effectiveness of the Kilombero Valley Flood Plains Ramsar Site (KVFPRS) was assessed to determine the extent to which management interventions in the Ramsar site have been effective in addressing threats  to the wetland resources. The assessment used the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT). This tool is composed of a set of questions that address the different steps and stages or elements of management necessary to achieve the  objectives of management of the area for which it was established. We  identified 16 key issues to the management of the KVFP Ramsar site out of the 30 main issues used to evaluate the management effectiveness by the WCPA tracking tool. According to managers of the Ramsar site in both Kilombero and Ulanga Districts, the management effectiveness of the KVFPRS is 39%. The %age score ranking given in this wetland reserve was low, suggesting that there has been little success in protecting the wetland. Discussions with key informants and local communities revealed that the current condition of the wetland is poor and not well managed which was attributed to poor law enforcement (34%) and inadequate implementation of planned management interventions (66%). The majority of the  respondents admitted encroachment both for agriculture (28%) and  settlements (14%), illegal fishing and destruction of fish breeding sites (13%), wildfire (3%), poaching (4%), deforestation (8%) and overgrazing  by livestock (31%) were the major wetland degrading activities. The  adjacent communities and district management suggested clear policy and regulations (31%), the need for their involvement in the management (23%), patrols (17%), and regular environmental education (10%) as ways  to mitigate wetland degradation. It was also suggested that a change in the current status of the protected area into a wetland reserve and  management of livestock populations would ensure proper management and conservation of the wetland resources. Several conservation  interventions/initiatives have been undertaken to counter wetland  degradation including the declaration of the KVFPRS as a Ramsar Site, preparation of integrated management plan for the site and establishment  of game controlled areas around the Ramsar Site.  Community involvement in planning and implementation of required actions and adequate monitoring of the performance of these interventions are crucial in order to establish their effectiveness and corrective measures and will likely improve management effectiveness.Key Words: Management, effectiveness, Kilombero, Ramsar Site, MET