How GIZ’s initiative shapes harmonious coexistence between humans, wildlife

WITHIN the green landscapes of Kimbanda Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the calm countryside of Namtumbo District in Ruvuma Region, a novel endeavour is taking place to foster a symbiotic relationship between local communities and the wildlife that inhabits their surroundings.

Thanks to the unwavering support of the the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Kimbanda WMA is witnessing a remarkable transformation in how Human-Wildlife Conflicts (HWC) are being addressed.

For generations, communities living around the Kimbanda WMA which consists of seven villages of Lusewa, Milonji, Ligunga, Matepwende, Msisima, Mnalawi and Malalawima have faced challenges arising from interactions with wildlife, viewing them mainly as threats to their livelihoods and safety.

However, with GIZ’s innovative approach, a paradigm shift is taking place where wildlife is seen not only as a precious natural asset but also as an opportunity for economic growth and environmental conservation.

One of the key strategies employed by GIZ in mitigating HWC in Kimbanda WMA is promoting the concept of coexistence.

By raising awareness and providing training on best practices for living alongside wildlife, GIZ has empowered local residents to adapt their lifestyles and land-use practices to reduce potential conflicts.

Through community engagement and education, GIZ has fostered a sense of shared responsibility for protecting wildlife and their habitats.

During a recent interview with the Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) as part of a field visit to Namtumbo District, Juma Kihindo, the Secretary of Kimbanda WMA, shared the exciting news on how GIZ has actively supported the development of sustainable wildlife-based enterprises in Kimbanda WMA, particularly in the realms of conservation, tourism and carbon trading.

According to Kihindo, among other things GIZ has facilitated the establishment of carbon trading initiatives within Kimbanda WMA, leveraging the area’s vast forest cover to combat climate change.

By promoting sustainable forest management practices and encouraging carbon sequestration projects, GIZ has enabled local communities to benefit from financial incentives tied to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Kimbanda WMA has already entered into an agreement with Carbon Tanzania, this partnership marks a significant step towards sustainable conservation efforts and environmental stewardship in the area,” he said.

One of the key highlights of this partnership is the plan to kickstart carbon trading activities in 2026, which will further incentivise conservation efforts within the WMA.

By actively participating in carbon trading, the WMA aims to not only mitigate the impacts of climate change but also promote coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Detailing further he said, established in 2008 with five villages initially, Kimbanda WMA has now expanded to include seven villages, encompassing a vast area of 2310 square kilometres.

“The WMA is home to a diverse range of wildlife, a conservation area, the Ruvuma River and the important Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor, making it a critical habitat for numerous species,” he expressed.

Highlighting the previously critical challenges of HWC before GIZ mitigation efforts in the Kimbanda WMA, he said there was habitat encroachment, whereby human populations expand and agricultural activities increase, and there was a growing pressure on wildlife habitat in the Kimbanda WMA.

“This leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, forcing wildlife species into closer proximity to human settlements and increasing the likelihood of HWC,” he noted.

He also mentioned crop raiding as another challenge, noting that wildlife species such as elephants, monkeys and bush pigs often raid crops in search of food, causing significant damage to farmers’ livelihoods. In the Kimbanda WMA, crop raiding by wildlife is a common occurrence, leading to conflicts between local communities and wildlife conservation authorities.

“By addressing these challenges through community engagement, education, conflict resolution strategies and sustainable land management practices, it is possible to reduce the negative impacts of HWCs in the Kimbanda WMA and promote coexistence between people and wildlife,” he stressed.

ALSO READ: Top Chinese tour operators to strategize on boosting Z’bar tourism

Furthermore, he commended GIZ, through its conservation and sustainable development programmes in the Kimbanda WMA, which has been actively involved in raising awareness and educating local communities on the value of wildlife and the benefits it can bring.

He said, “GIZ organises workshops, training sessions and community outreach programmes to educate our local residents about the importance of wildlife conservation and the economic benefits of sustainable wildlife-based activities like ecotourism.”

Mr Kihindo said, GIZ supports initiatives that promote ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to activities that exacerbate HWC, such as agriculture or livestock grazing.

By working with local communities to develop tourism infrastructure, create wildlife viewing opportunities and establish guiding services, GIZ helps to diversify livelihood options and reduce dependency on land uses that bring people into conflict with wildlife.

For his part, GIZ Technical Advisor in Namtumbo, Chrian Zimbaiya, said that GIZ implements various strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts (HWC), which include community-based conservation initiatives. Engaging local communities in decision-making processes and involving them in wildlife conservation efforts can help foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards protecting wildlife.

In the list he mentioned Implementing effective deterrent measures like installing physical barriers such as fences or trenches can help prevent wildlife from entering human settlements or agricultural areas, reducing conflict incidents.

“Either by promoting sustainable land-use practices or by encouraging land-use techniques that are compatible with wildlife habitats, we can help minimise conflicts by creating buffer zones or wildlife corridors,” he said.

Moreover, empowering local communities is another initiative whereby providing training and resources to communities on how to coexist with wildlife, including education on animal behaviour and conflict resolution techniques, can enhance their ability to mitigate conflicts peacefully.

In line with that, he said they are supporting with various tools and training the Village Game Scouts (VGS) at the Community Based Conservation Training Centre (CBCTC) in Likuyu Sekamaganga for training them in managing aggressive and destructive wildlife.

“Furthermore, GIZ works closely with local authorities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to develop collaborative solutions that address the root causes of human-wildlife conflicts in Namtumbo District,” he said.