Community perceptions on the benefits and challenges of community-based natural resources management in Zimbabwe

Figures & data

Figure 1. Location of study area wards (Wards 14, 15 and 17 in Hwange District). Source: Authors.

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of respondents (n = 200).

Characteristics	Frequency	%	N
Gender			200
Female	115	57.5
Male	85	42.5
Educational qualifications			188
Primary level	115	61.2
Secondary level	70	37.2
Non Formal education	3	1.6
Ethnicity			200
Nambiya	102	51.0
Tonga	41	20.5
Ndebele	48	24.0
Shona	4	2.0
Nyanja	1	0.5
Dombe	2	1.0
Kalanga	1	0.5
Lozvi	1	0.5
Ward			200
Mabale (ward 17)	90	45.0
Makwandara (ward 14)	65	32.5
Silewu (ward 15)	45	22.5
Age group			181
20–30	4	2.2
31–40	41	22.7
41–50	53	29.3
51–60	38	21.0
Above 60	45	24.9

Table 2. Importance of resources in the community (n = 200).

Resources	Mean	SD
Wild fruits	1.05	.224
Firewood	1.32	.633
Construction materials	1.36	.650
Grazing land for livestock	1.74	.912
Wild animals	2.33	1.534
Game meat	2.54	1.228
Traditional Medicines	2.55	1.301

On a Likert scale: Very important = 1, Important = 2, Neutral = 3, Unimportant = 4, Not important at all = 5.

Table 3. Evaluation of CAMPFIRE project (n = 200).

Statements	Mean	SD
We will actively participate in CAMPFIRE in my area	2.83	1.235
The local CAMPFIRE committee in our community is active	3.78	.968
We are given feedback regarding CAMPFIRE progress	3.80	.871
The CAMPFIRE project is effective in reducing human-wildlife conflict	3.80	.961
We are benefiting from the wildlife in our area through CAMPFIRE	3.87	.892
The village is fully represented in the CAMPFIRE committee	3.93	.809
We are heavily involved in CAMPFIRE decision-making	4.02	.767
Benefits from CAMPFIRE are distributed fairly among community members	4.06	.620
CAMPFIRE compensate us for damages by wildlife to our crops and livestock	4.44	.681

On a Likert scale: Strongly agree = 1, Agree = 2, Neutral 3, Disagree 4, Strongly disagree =5.

Table 4. Benefits expected from CAMPFIRE (n = 200).

Benefits expected	Frequency	%
Construction of dams and drilling of boreholes in the community	106	53.0
Fund income generating projects in the community	60	30.0
Fund provision of social infrastructures	48	24.0
Pay schools fees for underprivileged children in the community	36	18.0
Protect livestock from wild animals	24	12.0
Provide game meat to community members	18	9.0
Compensation for damaged crops and loss of livestock	15	7.5
Financial payouts to community members	10	5.0
Food handouts to community members	9	4.5
Create employment for locals	4	2.0
Increased access into the game park to fetch firewood	3	1.5

Table 5. Benefits received from CAMPFIRE (n = 200).

Benefits received	Frequency	%
Nothing	124	62.0
Construction of community halls	40	20.0
Construction of grinding mills	19	9.5
Income generating projects	9	4.5
Provision of game meat to community members	9	4.5
Constructions of shops for the community	7	3.5
Drilling of boreholes in the community	6	3.0
Water engine was bought for the school (Nechilibi Secondary school)	4	2.0

Table 6. Challenges faced by communities in CAMPFIRE areas (n = 200).

Challenges	Frequency	%
Insufficient community consultation in decision-making	190	95.0
Destruction of crops by wild animals	148	74.0
Livestock depredation by wild animals	139	69.5
Lack of direct benefits to households	131	65.5
Failure to devolve authority to local communities	128	64.0
Increase in livestock diseases	124	62.0
Inequitable distribution of benefits	77	38.5
Conflicts in the management of resources in the community	69	34.5
Corruption by the CAMPFIRE management committees	64	32.0
Unsupportive legislation	57	28.5

Table 7. Solutions to challenges faced by communities in CAMPFIRE areas (n = 200).

Solutions	Frequency	%
Activate village CAMPFIRE committees	82	41.0
Tighten security in the game park to stop wild animals from straying	56	28.0
CAMPFIRE leadership should works closely with community members	47	23.5
Compensate community members for loss caused by wild animals	36	18.0
Educate the community on CAMPFIRE projects	34	17.0
Provide water reservoirs, grazing land and dipping chemicals for livestock	16	8.0
Train CAMPFIRE leadership how to manage the project	11	5.5
Fund income generating projects in the community	6	3.0
Respond quickly to reports of stray wild animals	5	2.5