Simula Maijo
Other projects
7 Jan 2019
Will Anthropogenic Activities Influence Chimpanzee Forage Species and Habitat Selection? A Case Study in the Masito-Ugalla Ecosystem, Tanzania
14 Jul 2020
Improving Conservation of Chimpanzee Habitat Through Beekeeping and Tree Planting in the Masito-Ugalla Ecosystem, Tanzania
9 Mar 2022
Balancing Conservation Goals and Human Livelihood Needs: Beekeeping as an Incentive for Conservation of Chimpanzee Habitat in the Masito-Ugalla Ecosystem
This is a follow-up work to projects (27075-1, 31928-2 and 36950-B). In the project 27075-1, it was revealed that anthropogenic disturbance in the Masito-Ugalla ecosystem (MUE) negatively influenced chimpanzee habitat use, a relationship that threatened chimpanzee survival. The MUE adjacent communities, unsustainably cleared the forests for agriculture, timber and debarked certain tree species to make traditional beehives, actions that eventually killed trees. The cleared, logged and debarked trees were the important food and nesting resources for chimpanzees.
In the project 31928-2, engagement of the local communities in conservation of chimpanzee habitats through provision of education and implementation of a sustainable beekeeping project was promoted in Busongola village. The results from Busongola project was convincing in terms of contribution to local communities livelihoods and conservation of the forests.
In the booster grant (36950-B), expansion of sustainable beekeeping project into further two villages (i.e., Bulamata and Kusi) was conducted. With the Booster grant the local communities were able to add value to their beekeeping products by neatly processing, packing, labelling and selling them at good prices. This situation discouraged significantly forest degradation in the villages where the project is conducted.
Yet, there are still seven villages around the Tongwe Forest Reserves in Mishamo area to undertake a similar project. In this regard, we aim to scale-up the project in the remaining villages. The current project goal is to enhance the conservation of Tongwe Forest Reserves (i.e., chimpanzee habitats) while contributing positively to the surrounding local communities' livelihoods. Specifically, the project aim; (i) to raise local communities’ understanding and awareness on the importance of protecting biodiversity and sustainable utilization of natural resources, (ii) to reduce the conversion of forests and woodlands to agricultural lands, halt logging and debarking of trees to make traditional beehives in Tongwe Forest Reserves, and (iii) to promote sustainable beekeeping to improve local community livelihoods and contribute to the management of chimpanzee habitats in Tongwe Forest Reserves.