Influence of Livelihood Strategies on Local People Perception Toward the Benefits and Cost of Community‐Based Natural Resource Management: A Case of Burunge Wildlife Management Area, Tanzania

Involving local people in the sustainable conservation of biodiversity is a global issue that requires urgent attention for better conservation outcomes. Understanding the views of those living next to the protected areas such as community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) is critical to decision making in achieving the desired conservation goals. This study used a semi-structured questionnaire approach (self-administered) in a novel investigation of the perception toward the benefits and costs, and the level of support by local people with differing livelihood strategies to Burunge Wildlife Management Area (BWMA). In total, 302 respondents from the two purposively selected villages out of 10 which form the BWMA were surveyed: Minjingu (147) and Vilima Vitatu (155). We found that the large number of the respondents (73%, <i>n</i> = 170) from the majority agro-pastoralist group showed a negative perception toward the benefits received from the BWMA. Their negative perception was associated with the cost they experience from BWMA and the long-term need of the grazing land from the area. On the contrary, respondents from minority groups (i.e., fish mongers, business, and weaving) were significantly positive toward the benefits of the BWMA and its existence, as their livelihood strategies are highly dependent on it. Furthermore, the level of support for the existence of the BWMA was different between the two surveyed villages, which might be due to the level of conflicts they have with its operations. Investigations of local perceptions toward natural resources management should not be limited to the groups in a society that have the majority livelihood strategy, but should also consider those whose livelihood strategies are in the minority and their voices largely ignored.