Re-Imagining Wildlife Conflict Resolution in Tanzania: Integrating Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms into the Legal Framework for Conservation

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) present a persistent challenge to wildlife conservation and community livelihoods in Tanzania, particularly in areas adjacent to national parks and protected zones. The prevailing legal framework, most notably the Wildlife Conservation Act [Cap. 283 R.E. 2022], lacks explicit recognition or integration of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation and negotiation. Instead, conflict responses remain heavily bureaucratic, punitive, or compensatory, excluding affected communities from participatory redress. This article explores the normative, institutional, and practical implications of this legal omission by employing doctrinal, empirical, and comparative legal methodologies. The article analyses domestic legal instruments, stakeholder perceptions from Ruaha Village, and best practices from Kenya and South Africa to assess the feasibility of integrating ADR into Tanzania’s wildlife conservation regime. It argues that structured ADR mechanisms can enhance access to justice, reduce litigation burdens, foster community trust, and promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. The article concludes with practical reform recommendations aimed at embedding ADR within Tanzania’s conservation laws and policies, thus offering a for inclusive environmental governance.