What is it about?
CAMPFIRE is a community - based programme that was implemented in Zimbabwe in 1989, with assistance of donors. It is built on the assumption that involving local people in economic benefits and management of wildlife will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource and its habitat, and enhance rural livelihoods and rural development. This paper examines if CAMPFIRE revenues are trickling down to household level.
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Why is it important?
Our findings show that the direct economic benefits to households were small, especially after donor withdrawal beginning 2003, as evidenced by a sharp decline in household dividends, and an increase in human-wildlife conflicts and incidences of illegal hunting. Though households appreciate the indirect benefits (infrastructure development), their perception is that they are the least to benefit from CAMPFIRE, as compared to other stakeholders, mainly safari operators, hunters, district council, Government, and ward councilors, which is threatening the sustainability of the programme.
Perspectives
Writing this article was an unforgettable experience as it has co-authors and CAMPFIRE experts with whom I have had long standing collaborations. This article also leads to renown universities/international journals/Open resource platforms contacting me and ultimately to a greater involvement in community-based wildlife research.
Mr Pierre Kabeya Tchakatumba
University of Zimbabwe
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Does the CAMPFIRE programme ensure economic benefits from wildlife to households in Zimbabwe?, Ecosystems and People, January 2019, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/26395916.2019.1599070.
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