Community-Led Conservation: Mitigating Wildlife Conflict Through Collaboration

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) management and Community-Based Conservation (CBC), highlighting the part that local communities contribute in promoting sustainable wildlife management practices. The study underlines the importance of cooperative approaches based on community agency and stewardship are to the management of HWC and biodiversity conservation. The study employs a mixed method approach, and the researchers used focus groups and expert interviews to gather the needed data in the Save Conservative area (Chivi, Mwenezi & Chiredzi Districts). A sample size of 300 for quantitative method and 20 for qualitative method were used. The findings of this research were (1) collaborative governance, local knowledge and social-ecological resilience in Human-Wildlife Conflict is important and, (2) human wildlife conflict is a major challenge for conservation efforts. In light of these results, it was determined that community involvement in decision-making is essential because it fosters community ownership and engagement, which results in better conservation outcomes. Furthermore, there is need for collaborative management as it promotes community engagement and ownership.