itai dhliwayo | Chinhoyi University Of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by itai dhliwayo

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Fences on Human Wildlife Conflict in Communities Bordering the Northern Gonarezhou National Park, Southeastern Zimbabwe

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Fences on Human Wildlife Conflict in Communities Bordering the Northern Gonarezhou National Park, Southeastern Zimbabwe

Springer, 2024

Reports on problem animals are on the increase and this is associated with livestock predation, c... more Reports on problem animals are on the increase and this is associated with livestock predation, crop losses, poaching, retaliatory killing, loss of human lives, increased human wildlife conflicts (HWC) and poverty. In some spaces, HWC intervention measures such as fences established to separate communities and wildlife have failed to provide the much-needed peace and security on the peripheries as interaction between local people and wildlife continue to intensify, especially at the boundary between a communal area and protected area. This study sought to understand ecological strategies and mechanisms adopted by local people living on the edges of Gonarezhou National Park, southeast Zimbabwe to promote coexistence. Faced with competing interests within the local communities, the main question in this study was to establish whether local communities needed the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) which would require limited fencing for sustainability purposes or full fences. Data were collected between January and February 2024 and a total of 322 participated. A mixed research method was used in this study where focus group discussions, structured and semi-structured interviews were adopted as data collection instruments. The research established that there is a growing tension between communities and wildlife, HWC is on the increase and fencing alone cannot fully address coexistence. The study concluded that the existing local ecological mechanisms are not enough to support coexistence and promote biodiversity. Fences play a key role in mitigating HWC and coexistence can only be possible after proper planning and management, which entails effective fencing and meaningful involvement of local communities. The findings from this study help to strengthen the already existing coexistence mechanisms

Research paper thumbnail of Review of: "Weathering changes – livelihood adaptation to weather shocks in rural India by disadvantaged social groups

Research paper thumbnail of Local perceptions on poverty and conservation in a community-based natural resource program area: a case study of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe

Frontiers in conservation science, Sep 27, 2023

This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zi... more This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe, with the following objectives: (i) to assess local perceptions on poverty in a Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) environment, (ii) to assess whether CAMPFIRE initiatives have enhanced livelihoods, and (iii) to analyze the involvement of local people in CAMPFIRE programs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data between September and October 2022, with 80 randomly selected participants being interviewed (structured interviews), 110 randomly selected discussants participating in focus group discussions held in all the five villages of Ward 1, and 10 purposively sampled key informants responded to semi-structured interviews. Data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that some villages had more benefits than others from the conservation programs and the contributions to poverty alleviation varied within the surveyed local communities. Most respondents in Ward 1 stated that they rely on subsistence farming as the major source of livelihood. Furthermore, most respondents highlighted that they were not participating in the natural resource management and allocation decision-making processes. However, based on this study, we conclude that respondents still view CAMPFIRE as one of the key solutions to poverty alleviation and that active local community participation in decision-making processes is lacking. The study recommend for active and full participation of local people in the decision-making processes, including previously marginalized groups, in the CAMPFIRE initiatives.

Research paper thumbnail of An assessment of local community engagement in wildlife conservation: A case study of the Save Valley Conservancy, South Eastern Zimbabwe

Wiley Online, 2023

In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past de... more In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past decade, resulting in complex conservation conflicts. As humans and wildlife share space, stakeholder engagement becomes a critical component of wildlife management and transformative conservation. We analysed the conservation conflicts in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in southeastern Zimbabwe. Data were collected between April and May 2020 through focus group discussions and interviews with purposively sampled informants. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted in this study. The results revealed that the absence of an effective, inclusive, integrated multi-cross-sectional stakeholder engagement plan is a primary contributing factor to conservation conflicts in the SVC. In conclusion, our study found that community participation in land use decision-making is limited within the SVC, and this is a general lack of consensus among the community members on viable land use options. This study proposes an integrated, cross-sectional stakeholder working framework that not only informs conservation practitioners but also fully addresses the prevailing conservation conflict scenarios. These conflicts emanate from the exclusion of humans from protected areas and the encroachment of wildlife in human settlements.

Research paper thumbnail of Local perceptions on poverty and conservation in a community-based natural resource program area: a case study of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe

Frontiers Conservation Sciences, 2023

This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zi... more This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe, with the following objectives: (i) to assess local perceptions on poverty in a Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) environment, (ii) to assess whether CAMPFIRE initiatives have enhanced livelihoods, and (iii) to analyze the involvement of local people in CAMPFIRE programs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data between September and October 2022, with 80 randomly selected participants being interviewed (structured interviews), 110 randomly selected discussants participating in focus group discussions held in all the five villages of Ward 1, and 10 purposively sampled key informants responded to semi-structured interviews. Data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that some villages had more benefits than others from the conservation programs and the contributions to poverty alleviation varied within the surveyed local communities. Most respondents in Ward 1 stated that they rely on subsistence farming as the major source of livelihood. Furthermore, most respondents highlighted that they were not participating in the natural resource management and allocation decision-making processes. However, based on this study, we conclude that respondents still view CAMPFIRE as one of the key solutions to poverty alleviation and that active local community participation in decision-making processes is lacking. The study recommend for active and full participation of local people in the decision-making processes, including previously marginalized groups, in the CAMPFIRE initiatives.

Research paper thumbnail of Park-People Relationships and Local Community Perceptions on Wildlife Conservation in the Sengwe Area, Chiredzi District

Springer geography, 2023

This study assesses park-people relationships and local community perceptions regarding wildlife ... more This study assesses park-people relationships and local community perceptions regarding wildlife conservation in the Sengwe area, a community within the Great Limpopo Trans Frontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), Chiredzi District, near the Mozambican border in southeast Zimbabwe. The study identifies and examines the existence of perceived and actual conflicts between local communities and conservation (protected) area management, with these conflicts mostly arising from an unshared vision of protected areas and lack of effective community engagement in conservation projects. Most Sengwe villagers report that they were denied access to, and control of, local resources, and were sidelined from wildlife projects, including employment opportunities and tourism promotion. This was also the case with the state-driven Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) projects. Villagers thus believe that the land in the protected area should be for agricultural production as land-based wildlife conservation is failing to enhance their livelihoods. Lack of participation is a key concern resulting in the local community having negative perceptions towards wildlife conservation, and this has caused encroachment of people into the park. We recommend that local community participation and engagement in conservation-based projects and decision-making

Research paper thumbnail of An assessment of local community engagement in wildlife conservation: a case study of the Save Valley Conservancy, South Eastern Zimbabwe

In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past de... more In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past decade resulting in complex conservation conflicts. For instance, conservation conflicts in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe have grown to a level of drawing the concerns of various players, both within and outside the protected area. However, these players are of diverse opinions and interests calling for an inclusive, effective and multi-integrated stakeholder engagement strategy that addresses these needs and opinions in a transformative conservation framework. As humans and wildlife share space, stakeholder engagement becomes a critical component of wildlife management and transformative conservation. In this study, we analysed the conservation conflicts in the SVC. Data were collected between April and May 2020 through focus group discussions and interviews with 20 key purposively sampled informants. The results revealed a lack of an effective, inclusive, integrated multi-cross-sectional stakeholder engagement plan as one of the major contributing factors to the existence of conservation conflicts in the SVC. It is concluded that, there is limited participation by community members and generally no shared views among the community members on viable land use options in the SVC. This study proposes an integrated Author-formatted, not peer-reviewed document posted on 02/05/2023.

Research paper thumbnail of Climate Variability Impacts and Coping Strategies in Malipati Communal Area, Chiredzi District, Southeast Zimbabwe

International Journal of Ecology, Sep 5, 2022

e spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communi... more e spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communities. Focusing on Malipati Communal Area in Chiredzi District, southeast Zimbabwe, the study analysed the impacts of climate variability and coping strategies adopted by local communities. Data were collected between May and June 2018 in ve (5) villages in Ward 15 of Malipati Communal Area, where a total of 133 participants were involved through focus group discussions, questionnaires, and key informant interviews. e results showed an increase in livestock mortality and in contrast no signi cant changes in crop yields between 1990 and 2018. Further, the study established that local communities have negative perceptions towards the adaptive coping strategies to climate change, especially on the production of small grains. ere is a need for other innovative strategies to enable communities to continuously bu er the impacts of climate variability inclusive of diversifying economic activities.

Research paper thumbnail of An assessment of local community engagement in wildlife conservation: a case study of the Save Valley Conservancy, South Eastern Zimbabwe

In Southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past de... more In Southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past decade resulting in complex conservation conflicts. For instance, conservation conflicts in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe have grown to a level of drawing the concerns of various players, both within and outside the protected area. However, these players are of diverse opinions and interests calling for an inclusive, effective and multi-integrated stakeholder engagement strategy that addresses these needs and opinions in a transformative conservation framework. As humans and wildlife share space, stakeholder engagement becomes a critical component of wildlife management and transformative conservation. In this study, we analysed the conservation conflicts in the SVC. Data were collected between April and May 2020 through focus group discussions and interviews with 20 key purposively sampled informants. This study results revealed a lack of an effect...

Research paper thumbnail of Climate Variability Impacts and Coping Strategies in Malipati Communal Area, Chiredzi District, Southeast Zimbabwe

International Journal of Ecology

The spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human commu... more The spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communities. Focusing on Malipati Communal Area in Chiredzi District, southeast Zimbabwe, the study analysed the impacts of climate variability and coping strategies adopted by local communities. Data were collected between May and June 2018 in five (5) villages in Ward 15 of Malipati Communal Area, where a total of 133 participants were involved through focus group discussions, questionnaires, and key informant interviews. The results showed an increase in livestock mortality and in contrast no significant changes in crop yields between 1990 and 2018. Further, the study established that local communities have negative perceptions towards the adaptive coping strategies to climate change, especially on the production of small grains. There is a need for other innovative strategies to enable communities to continuously buffer the impacts of climate variability inclusive of diversifying economic...

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Fences on Human Wildlife Conflict in Communities Bordering the Northern Gonarezhou National Park, Southeastern Zimbabwe

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Fences on Human Wildlife Conflict in Communities Bordering the Northern Gonarezhou National Park, Southeastern Zimbabwe

Springer, 2024

Reports on problem animals are on the increase and this is associated with livestock predation, c... more Reports on problem animals are on the increase and this is associated with livestock predation, crop losses, poaching, retaliatory killing, loss of human lives, increased human wildlife conflicts (HWC) and poverty. In some spaces, HWC intervention measures such as fences established to separate communities and wildlife have failed to provide the much-needed peace and security on the peripheries as interaction between local people and wildlife continue to intensify, especially at the boundary between a communal area and protected area. This study sought to understand ecological strategies and mechanisms adopted by local people living on the edges of Gonarezhou National Park, southeast Zimbabwe to promote coexistence. Faced with competing interests within the local communities, the main question in this study was to establish whether local communities needed the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) which would require limited fencing for sustainability purposes or full fences. Data were collected between January and February 2024 and a total of 322 participated. A mixed research method was used in this study where focus group discussions, structured and semi-structured interviews were adopted as data collection instruments. The research established that there is a growing tension between communities and wildlife, HWC is on the increase and fencing alone cannot fully address coexistence. The study concluded that the existing local ecological mechanisms are not enough to support coexistence and promote biodiversity. Fences play a key role in mitigating HWC and coexistence can only be possible after proper planning and management, which entails effective fencing and meaningful involvement of local communities. The findings from this study help to strengthen the already existing coexistence mechanisms

Research paper thumbnail of Review of: "Weathering changes – livelihood adaptation to weather shocks in rural India by disadvantaged social groups

Research paper thumbnail of Local perceptions on poverty and conservation in a community-based natural resource program area: a case study of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe

Frontiers in conservation science, Sep 27, 2023

This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zi... more This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe, with the following objectives: (i) to assess local perceptions on poverty in a Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) environment, (ii) to assess whether CAMPFIRE initiatives have enhanced livelihoods, and (iii) to analyze the involvement of local people in CAMPFIRE programs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data between September and October 2022, with 80 randomly selected participants being interviewed (structured interviews), 110 randomly selected discussants participating in focus group discussions held in all the five villages of Ward 1, and 10 purposively sampled key informants responded to semi-structured interviews. Data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that some villages had more benefits than others from the conservation programs and the contributions to poverty alleviation varied within the surveyed local communities. Most respondents in Ward 1 stated that they rely on subsistence farming as the major source of livelihood. Furthermore, most respondents highlighted that they were not participating in the natural resource management and allocation decision-making processes. However, based on this study, we conclude that respondents still view CAMPFIRE as one of the key solutions to poverty alleviation and that active local community participation in decision-making processes is lacking. The study recommend for active and full participation of local people in the decision-making processes, including previously marginalized groups, in the CAMPFIRE initiatives.

Research paper thumbnail of An assessment of local community engagement in wildlife conservation: A case study of the Save Valley Conservancy, South Eastern Zimbabwe

Wiley Online, 2023

In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past de... more In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past decade, resulting in complex conservation conflicts. As humans and wildlife share space, stakeholder engagement becomes a critical component of wildlife management and transformative conservation. We analysed the conservation conflicts in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in southeastern Zimbabwe. Data were collected between April and May 2020 through focus group discussions and interviews with purposively sampled informants. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted in this study. The results revealed that the absence of an effective, inclusive, integrated multi-cross-sectional stakeholder engagement plan is a primary contributing factor to conservation conflicts in the SVC. In conclusion, our study found that community participation in land use decision-making is limited within the SVC, and this is a general lack of consensus among the community members on viable land use options. This study proposes an integrated, cross-sectional stakeholder working framework that not only informs conservation practitioners but also fully addresses the prevailing conservation conflict scenarios. These conflicts emanate from the exclusion of humans from protected areas and the encroachment of wildlife in human settlements.

Research paper thumbnail of Local perceptions on poverty and conservation in a community-based natural resource program area: a case study of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe

Frontiers Conservation Sciences, 2023

This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zi... more This study was conducted in a local community, namely, Ward 1 of Beitbridge district, southern Zimbabwe, with the following objectives: (i) to assess local perceptions on poverty in a Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) environment, (ii) to assess whether CAMPFIRE initiatives have enhanced livelihoods, and (iii) to analyze the involvement of local people in CAMPFIRE programs. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data between September and October 2022, with 80 randomly selected participants being interviewed (structured interviews), 110 randomly selected discussants participating in focus group discussions held in all the five villages of Ward 1, and 10 purposively sampled key informants responded to semi-structured interviews. Data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that some villages had more benefits than others from the conservation programs and the contributions to poverty alleviation varied within the surveyed local communities. Most respondents in Ward 1 stated that they rely on subsistence farming as the major source of livelihood. Furthermore, most respondents highlighted that they were not participating in the natural resource management and allocation decision-making processes. However, based on this study, we conclude that respondents still view CAMPFIRE as one of the key solutions to poverty alleviation and that active local community participation in decision-making processes is lacking. The study recommend for active and full participation of local people in the decision-making processes, including previously marginalized groups, in the CAMPFIRE initiatives.

Research paper thumbnail of Park-People Relationships and Local Community Perceptions on Wildlife Conservation in the Sengwe Area, Chiredzi District

Springer geography, 2023

This study assesses park-people relationships and local community perceptions regarding wildlife ... more This study assesses park-people relationships and local community perceptions regarding wildlife conservation in the Sengwe area, a community within the Great Limpopo Trans Frontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), Chiredzi District, near the Mozambican border in southeast Zimbabwe. The study identifies and examines the existence of perceived and actual conflicts between local communities and conservation (protected) area management, with these conflicts mostly arising from an unshared vision of protected areas and lack of effective community engagement in conservation projects. Most Sengwe villagers report that they were denied access to, and control of, local resources, and were sidelined from wildlife projects, including employment opportunities and tourism promotion. This was also the case with the state-driven Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) projects. Villagers thus believe that the land in the protected area should be for agricultural production as land-based wildlife conservation is failing to enhance their livelihoods. Lack of participation is a key concern resulting in the local community having negative perceptions towards wildlife conservation, and this has caused encroachment of people into the park. We recommend that local community participation and engagement in conservation-based projects and decision-making

Research paper thumbnail of An assessment of local community engagement in wildlife conservation: a case study of the Save Valley Conservancy, South Eastern Zimbabwe

In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past de... more In southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past decade resulting in complex conservation conflicts. For instance, conservation conflicts in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe have grown to a level of drawing the concerns of various players, both within and outside the protected area. However, these players are of diverse opinions and interests calling for an inclusive, effective and multi-integrated stakeholder engagement strategy that addresses these needs and opinions in a transformative conservation framework. As humans and wildlife share space, stakeholder engagement becomes a critical component of wildlife management and transformative conservation. In this study, we analysed the conservation conflicts in the SVC. Data were collected between April and May 2020 through focus group discussions and interviews with 20 key purposively sampled informants. The results revealed a lack of an effective, inclusive, integrated multi-cross-sectional stakeholder engagement plan as one of the major contributing factors to the existence of conservation conflicts in the SVC. It is concluded that, there is limited participation by community members and generally no shared views among the community members on viable land use options in the SVC. This study proposes an integrated Author-formatted, not peer-reviewed document posted on 02/05/2023.

Research paper thumbnail of Climate Variability Impacts and Coping Strategies in Malipati Communal Area, Chiredzi District, Southeast Zimbabwe

International Journal of Ecology, Sep 5, 2022

e spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communi... more e spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communities. Focusing on Malipati Communal Area in Chiredzi District, southeast Zimbabwe, the study analysed the impacts of climate variability and coping strategies adopted by local communities. Data were collected between May and June 2018 in ve (5) villages in Ward 15 of Malipati Communal Area, where a total of 133 participants were involved through focus group discussions, questionnaires, and key informant interviews. e results showed an increase in livestock mortality and in contrast no signi cant changes in crop yields between 1990 and 2018. Further, the study established that local communities have negative perceptions towards the adaptive coping strategies to climate change, especially on the production of small grains. ere is a need for other innovative strategies to enable communities to continuously bu er the impacts of climate variability inclusive of diversifying economic activities.

Research paper thumbnail of An assessment of local community engagement in wildlife conservation: a case study of the Save Valley Conservancy, South Eastern Zimbabwe

In Southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past de... more In Southern Africa, human and wildlife interactions have significantly increased over the past decade resulting in complex conservation conflicts. For instance, conservation conflicts in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe have grown to a level of drawing the concerns of various players, both within and outside the protected area. However, these players are of diverse opinions and interests calling for an inclusive, effective and multi-integrated stakeholder engagement strategy that addresses these needs and opinions in a transformative conservation framework. As humans and wildlife share space, stakeholder engagement becomes a critical component of wildlife management and transformative conservation. In this study, we analysed the conservation conflicts in the SVC. Data were collected between April and May 2020 through focus group discussions and interviews with 20 key purposively sampled informants. This study results revealed a lack of an effect...

Research paper thumbnail of Climate Variability Impacts and Coping Strategies in Malipati Communal Area, Chiredzi District, Southeast Zimbabwe

International Journal of Ecology

The spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human commu... more The spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communities. Focusing on Malipati Communal Area in Chiredzi District, southeast Zimbabwe, the study analysed the impacts of climate variability and coping strategies adopted by local communities. Data were collected between May and June 2018 in five (5) villages in Ward 15 of Malipati Communal Area, where a total of 133 participants were involved through focus group discussions, questionnaires, and key informant interviews. The results showed an increase in livestock mortality and in contrast no significant changes in crop yields between 1990 and 2018. Further, the study established that local communities have negative perceptions towards the adaptive coping strategies to climate change, especially on the production of small grains. There is a need for other innovative strategies to enable communities to continuously buffer the impacts of climate variability inclusive of diversifying economic...