Opportunities And Constraints Towards Attracting Private Investors In Wildlife Management Areas: A Case Of Wami-Mbiki

ABSTRACT

This study which was conducted between October and December 2017, explored the opportunities and constraints for attracting private investors in Wami-Mbiki WMA in Bagamoyo District. The study guided by three specific objectives; (i) to determine investment opportunities found in Wami-Mbiki WMA that can attract investors, (ii) to examine factors for lack of private investors in Wami-Mbiki and (iii) to develop a win-win public-private partnerships (PPPs) framework for Wami-Mbiki WMA. Data collected using survey questionnaire, key-informant interviews, physical site visits, focus group discussion and documentary review. Data was analysed by using SPSS. Findings indicates that (76%; n=76) of the respondents had the opinion that though currently the WMA do not have investors, there are opportunities available such as hunting, bee keeping, photographic safaris, fishing and canoeing that may attract investors. Factors hindering investments in the WMA among others include increased human activities, poor WMA leadership, inadequate infrastructure and loss of biodiversity in the WMA. Under-investment in the WMA has led to lack of revenues to distribute to village members and for WMA operation, unemployment, conflicts among WMA members and increased loss of biodiversity. Thus, basing upon these findings, the study proposes a win-win PPPs framework in the WMA that can curb those weaknesses and bring the effective prospective partnerships. It is concluded that under-investment in Wami-Mbiki WMA has significant negative impacts to the ecosystem and local community livelihoods; therefore, the study recommends eviction of all invaders in the WMA, effective law enforcement, effective WMA management, provision of conservation education to local community, improvement of infrastructure, and review of legal and policy issues.