Perceptions of the Forestry and Wildlife Policy by the local communities living in the Maputo Elephant Reserve, Mozambique

摘要: A survey was undertaken in the Maputo Elephant Reserve to establish level of people's dependence on wildlife, and their perceptions extant Forest Wildlife Policy associated legislation, including new Land law. The underlying assumption that local communities residing may not have been involved, or consulted process formulating policy legislation. Results overwhelmingly confirmed this hypothesis – as 65% community members interviewed were unaware approved Policy, Legislation. 74% had never even heard Law, 88% indicated they involved any management natural resources Reserve, majority, 53% community-based resource programme. widespread unawareness various enabling mechanisms established by Mozambican Government ensure rural people actively participate in, sustainably tangibly benefit from is great concern. More particularly so, frameworks, strategies for achieving developed under Transfrontier Conservation Areas Project (TFCA). This study recommends, inter alia: (i) Directorate Forestry establishes a Community Education Public Relations Unit (CEPRU) TFCA order improve awareness opportunities, policies especially with respect communities' rights vis-a-vis ownership land resources; (ii) introduction tourism means diversifying income base. Currently nearly 82% depend consumptive use human population grows pressure overwhelm Generation revenues through be an incentive adopt biodiversity conservation based market economy alternative subsistence livelihood styles.