The Living Desert, in collaboration with Imvelo Safari Lodges, recently conducted a Building Community Conservation Success workshop with students from Lupane State University and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe. The event focused on imparting both theoretical and practical skills to the students, including foundational social science principles, interview script creation, and knowledge of local culture and conservation projects.
Over four days, scientists from The Living Desert and Imvelo staff trained students. This was followed by three days of fieldwork where students interviewed community members across Manjelengwa, Emhlabeni, and Vulashaba along Hwange National Park's southern border. These interviews aimed to gauge interest in the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI), a project led by Imvelo and the local Rural District Council (RDC). CRCI involves communities donating land for a rhino conservancy to attract tourists and mitigate wildlife conflicts.
Students conducted 117 interviews during their fieldwork. Despite initial nervousness about approaching community members, they adapted quickly. Working in pairs—one as an interviewer and the other as a note-taker—they managed language barriers effectively.
The findings revealed that 68% of participants were aware of CRCI in nearby communities and generally viewed it positively due to its perceived benefits like reduced wildlife conflicts through an electric fence. Most participants supported donating land for a rhino conservancy but expressed concerns about land allocation affecting grazing areas essential for livestock income.
Interestingly, there was no difference in interest between those familiar with CRCI and those who were not. This suggests that highlighting CRCI’s benefits alone may not be sufficient; addressing specific community concerns could be more effective.
Other notable findings included elephants being identified as the most problematic animals due to crop destruction, followed by lions and hyenas threatening livestock. When asked about developmental benefits from wildlife-associated tourism, participants prioritized boreholes for water over healthcare and education.
A significant observation was the variation in prioritization between household heads and non-heads; non-heads showed more evenly distributed interests across various benefits. This indicates that individual outreach might capture a broader range of opinions than public forums dominated by authority figures.
The workshop concluded with students presenting their findings to key community leaders to ensure accurate representation of concerns. Imvelo staff attended these presentations to refine their engagement strategies based on this feedback.
The workshop not only provided valuable insights into community perceptions but also had a lasting impact on participating students. One student remarked on the unique opportunity to engage directly with local communities: “It was amazing... But now we know how to do it if we’re asked to do it somewhere else.”
Through such initiatives, The Living Desert aims to empower local conservationists to collaborate effectively with communities on conservation projects that benefit both people and nature.
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