Description:
This report presents a socio‑economic assessment of the Mayuni Conservancy, focusing on livelihoods, resource use, governance, and community perceptions. The majority of households rely on subsistence farming, with crop production serving as the main livelihood source, complemented by small businesses and old‑age pensions. Household expenditure is dominated by food, accounting for 84% of income. Firewood remains the primary energy source, while most residents access improved water points, though formal rules governing water use are largely absent.
Livestock ownership is common, especially cattle, but human–wildlife conflict particularly involving elephants and lions poses significant challenges. Traditional grazing practices continue largely unchanged despite conservancy establishment. Crop damage by wildlife is a concern, yet the majority of residents report minimal negative conservancy impacts on crop production. Communities also harvest natural resources such as firewood, poles, grasses, and palm leaves as part of their livelihood strategies.
Only 31% of respondents are registered conservancy members, and overall participation in conservancy activities is low. Many community members feel excluded from decision‑making, although women and headmen exhibit higher levels of involvement, and more than half of respondents express satisfaction with management committee representation. Perceptions of conservancy benefits are mixed: while some report moderate satisfaction, concerns remain regarding fairness in benefit distribution.
Knowledge of the national constitution is high within both the management committee and the broader community, particularly regarding environmental protection and anti‑poaching provisions. Despite conflicts with wildlife, community members remain willing to coexist with wild animals provided compensation for losses is fair and accessible.