Browsing by Author "Kaswamila, Abiud"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Analysis of drivers and agents of deforestation and forest degradation in Masito forests, Kigoma, Tanzania
    (Asian Economic and Social Society, 2016) Kessy, John Francis; Nsokko, Edwin; Kaswamila, Abiud; Kimaro, Freddy
    A study to assess the direct and indirect drivers and agents of deforestation and forest degradation was carried out in Masito forests in Kigoma Region. Several methodologies were deployed including review of key literature, focused group discussions, household level interviews and review of ?smart phones? database of disturbance incidences in the forests. Results revealed that despite forest protection measures taken by the government and other actors for purposes of REDD+ carbon trade, deforestation and forest degradation are problems that are being experienced in the study area. Evidence of deforestation and degradation were provided through change detection data, forest disturbance incidences and community perception on the drivers of deforestation and degradation. The main drivers of deforestation and degradation were characterized to fall into direct drivers and indirect drivers. The demand for land and forests resources was responsible for a number of direct drivers. Indirect drivers were perceived to entail underlying causes of deforestation and degradation forming a complex interaction of socio-economic, political, cultural and technological variables that cause deforestation and degradation. Characterization of the main agents of deforestation and degradation revealed that human actors in various capacities and functions have served as agents. The assessment of leakage risks revealed that the risk of shifting destructive activities to non-REDD+ project villages was mitigated. In order to address the drivers and sustaining the REDD+, the study recommends the need to address forest tenure; provision of alternatives to the agents of deforestation and degradation, extension support to non-REDD+ villages for capacity building in forest protection; and ensuring that the process of REDD+ piloting is finalized to the level that communities finally sell carbon to get tangible benefits.
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    Analytical framework model for capacity needs assessment and strategic capacity development within the local government structure in Tanzania
    (Scientific Research Publishing, 2014) Kessy, John F.; Kaswamila, Abiud
    This is a methodological paper prepared by senior academicians, researchers and consultants from renowned universities in Tanzania. The paper provides insights as to how best development agents can approach the challenge of capacity needs assessment and development of capacity building programs in the context of the local government structure in Tanzania. The paper is of original nature and is based on author’s accumulated knowledge and practice in conducting capacity assessments and developing capacity building programs in Tanzania. The paper describes what can be considered to be best practices in conducting participatory capacity assessment through consultative processes which involves most of the key actors who would be engaged in implementing proposed interventions. The paper puts forward an analytical model for capacity assessment and program development in the Tanzanian context. The main features of the model can be summarized as participatory capacity assessment, strategic capacity building program development and complementarity through synergy building with like-minded stakeholders. The operational modality for utilizing the model in developing capacity building programs which among other components has monitoring and evaluation aspects is included. It is recommended that practitioners and development agents should test the model in their working environments to realize its potential benefits including program ownership by stakeholders.
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    Human–wildlife conflicts in Monduli district, Tanzania
    (Taylor and Francis, 2009) Kaswamila, Abiud
    An assessment of land-use conflicts was conducted in three semi-arid villages within the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem that are important wildlife dispersal areas and migratory routes linking northeast Tanzania protected areas. Data were collected through household and extension staff interviews, archive data from village government offices and field visits. Conflicts varied across villages and were mainly boundary conflicts with Lake Manyara National Park (LMNP). They included crop destruction and livestock depredation by wild animals, land scarcity, loss of former Manyara Ranch land to Tanzania Lands Conservation Trust (TLCT), which has imposed grazing restrictions, and insufficient buffer zone. An analysis of gender conflicts varied across villages. Several mitigation measures are suggested by both local communities and field extension staff. These include realization of economic benefits from wildlife-related enterprises, relocation of people to low-density areas, implementation of compensation schemes for destruction made by wildlife, intensification of patrols, fencing of the park, need for land-use plans and need for villages to formulate their own natural resources management by-laws. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations.
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    Tourism regional multiplier effects in Tanzania: analysis of Singita grumeti reserves tourism in the Mara region
    (Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2016) Mwakalobo, Adam; Kaswamila, Abiud; Kira, Alex; Chawala, Onesmo; Tear, Timothy
    The main focus of this study was to establish the economic impacts of a single tourism business operated in a rural area on a regional economy in Africa. This paper presents a case study of the regional multiplier effects of Singita Grumeti Reserves’ (SGR) tourism investment in the Mara region, Tanzania. The recursive Keynesian multiplier approach was used to identify significant economic multiplier effects larger than any other multiplier effects we could find published for relevant, comparable studies (Type 1 average 1.57 from 2008-2013, range 1.24 – 1.81). This result was contrary to economic theory that predicts the multiplier effect in this case should be low given the small area of investment in comparison to the much larger regional economy. In addition, these results represent underestimates, as the multiplier effects established in this study did not factor in substantial positive environmental and socio economic impacts accrued from SGR’s non-profit partner organization, the Grumeti Fund. Consequently, our study findings present compelling evidence that SGR tourism investments, when combined with the Grumeti Fund’s conservation and community development activities, demonstrate a pro-poor economic approach of substantial benefit to the Tanzanian economy. This was possible because the investment made by one private company is relatively substantial in comparison to the limited government services provided to the Mara Region, where nearly half of the 1.7 million people in this region remain in the poverty trap. These results provide compelling evidence that this type of high-value low-volume tourism investment can also contribute to sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development when paired with conservation and community development efforts. This assessment also demonstrates the value of ecosystem services derived from conserving Tanzania’s rich and globally significant natural heritage for the benefit of both people and nature. As there is more tourism potential in Tanzania, Tanzanian government authorities at all levels should consider encouraging and supporting similar tourism investments (i.e., high-value low-volume tourism model). This support could be tailored to providing incentives such as tax rate reduction or exemptions to encourage this specific type of tourism investment. Private investment is particularly important in rural and underserved regions in Tanzania– like the Mara Region – where there have been limited economic investments despite substantial opportunities for economic growth.
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    Tourism regional multiplier effects in Tanzania: analysis of singita grumeti reserves tourism in the Mara region
    (Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2016) Mwakalobo, Adam; Kaswamila, Abiud; Kira, Alex; Chawala, Onesmo; Tear, Timothy
    The main focus of this study was to establish the economic impacts of a single tourism business operated in a rural area on a regional economy in Africa. This paper presents a case study of the regional multiplier effects of Singita Grumeti Reserves’ (SGR) tourism investment in the Mara region, Tanzania. The recursive Keynesian multiplier approach was used to identify significant economic multiplier effects larger than any other multiplier effects we could find published for relevant, comparable studies (Type 1 average 1.57 from 2008-2013, range 1.24 – 1.81). This result was contrary to economic theory that predicts the multiplier effect in this case should be low given the small area of investment in comparison to the much larger regional economy. In addition, these results represent underestimates, as the multiplier effects established in this study did not factor in substantial positive environmental and socio economic impacts accrued from SGR’s non-profit partner organization, the Grumeti Fund. Consequently, our study findings present compelling evidence that SGR tourism investments, when combined with the Grumeti Fund’s conservation and community development activities, demonstrate a pro-poor economic approach of substantial benefit to the Tanzanian economy. This was possible because the investment made by one private company is relatively substantial in comparison to the limited government services provided to the Mara Region, where nearly half of the 1.7 million people in this region remain in the poverty trap. These results provide compelling evidence that this type of high-value low-volume tourism investment can also contribute to sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development when paired with conservation and community development efforts. This assessment also demonstrates the value of ecosystem services derived from conserving Tanzania’s rich and globally significant natural heritage for the benefit of both people and nature. As there is more tourism potential in Tanzania, Tanzanian government authorities at all levels should consider encouraging and supporting similar tourism investments (i.e., high-value low-volume tourism model). This support could be tailored to providing incentives such as tax rate reduction or exemptions to encourage this specific type of tourism investment. Private investment is particularly important in rural and underserved regions in Tanzania– like the Mara Region – where there have been limited economic investments despite substantial opportunities for economic growth.