Emerging threats and the socio-ecological resilience of local communities, South-East Zimbabwe

Abstract

Threats to livelihoods for people living in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) continue to put stress on communities. These threats include climate change, food security crisis, plant pests and diseases, and human-wildlife conflict. As the magnitude and impact of emerging threats increases, aggravated by growing poverty, more households and communities become less able to absorb, recover and adapt. There is a growing and unsustainable reliance on natural resources, food aid and remittances, and an increasingly tense relationship between livestock production, wildlife ranching and conservation in the study area. Without information about communities living within the GLTFCA, policy makers are faced with challenges when the need to address poverty in areas adjacent to protected areas arises. This study analysed the emerging threats that affect local communities living on Zimbabwe’s part of the GLTFCA in Chiredzi Rural District (Sengwe), Save Valley Conservancy (Gudo community) and Beitbridge Rural District (Matibe), and the social and ecological resilience processes communities adopt in response to these numerous threats encountered. Mixed method design was adopted in this study where data collection instruments including focus group discussion, semi structured interviews and questionnaires were used and data was quantitatively and qualitatively analysed and presented. Local communities are faced with increasing numerous and complex threats starting from displacement as they were relocated to pave way for the creation of the park, the majority have negative perceptions towards the establishment and conservation initiatives, while a few are beginning to appreciate the positive impacts of Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) initiatives of enhancing livelihoods and promoting biodiversity on the peripheries. Community involvement and participation in conservation initiatives is key and this enhances local community resilience to threats through community capacitation and improves relationships between the people and the park management. The existing socio-ecological resilience systems, mechanisms, strategies and pathways are weak and cannot measure up to the changing and multiplying facets of threats in the GLTFCA. Generally, threats are on the increase and livelihoods have been undermined in the GLTFCA as local communities are finding it difficult to adapt mainly due to incapacitation. It is concluded that the majority of the people in the study area regard their relationship with protected area management in a negative way, there is limited participation by local communities in wildlife conservation projects. While there are conflicting relationships between the local community and protected area management, co-existence and harmony is iii still achievable. The study contributes towards strengthening and improving local resilience and adaptation to emerging threats in the study area. It is recommended that local communities be capacitated to be able to manage their own natural resources and sustain their livelihoods.