Co-management brings hope for effective biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi

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AuteurMANDA, LEONARD
AuteurSALAKO, KOLAWOLE VALERE
AuteurKATAYA, ANDREW
AuteurAFFOSSOGBE, SEDJRO A T
AuteurNJERA, DALO
AuteurMGOOLA, WILLIAM O
AuteurASSOGBADJO, ACHILLE EPHREM
AuteurSINSIN, BRICE AUGUSTIN
Date d'ajout2026-06-02T16:06:57Z
Date de disponibilite2026-06-02T16:06:57Z
Date de publication2023
ResumeCo-management has been widely promoted in protected area management on the premise that it may simultaneously enhance biodiversity conservation outcomes and improve livelihoods of the park-border communities. However, the success of this management approach remains a growing debate raising the question of its effectiveness. To contribute to this debate, we used local community perceptions and secondary ecological data to assess the extent to which co-management has effectively contributed to biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development outcomes in the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Face-to-face individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect data on the perceptions of co-management from 160 purposively selected heads of households. A desk study was used to collect data on trends in animal populations, animal mortality, and prohibited activities including incidences of poaching for the past 30 years (pre-and post-introduction of co-management). Results showed that local communities have positive perceptions of the conservation work in the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Further, there was an improved people-park relationship and a recovery of animal populations in the reserve after the introduction of co-management. These findings point to the success of co-management in the area. However, misunderstandings over revenue sharing were still a thorny issue, somehow creating mistrust between parties. We concluded that while it may still be early to achieve more demonstrable conservation outcomes, co-management appears to bring hope for effective biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Participatory evaluation of co-management involving key stakeholders is recommended in the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve based on the findings of this study and lessons learnt over the years.
DOI10.3389/fcosc.2023.1124142
Autre identifiantBECDB-13707
URIhttps://dspace.uac.bj/handle/123456789/11726
Languefr
Fait partie deFrontiers in Conservation Science
Sujetcommunity perceptions
Sujetcollaborative management
Sujetprotected area management
Sujetcommunity-based natural resources management
Sujetrural livelihood
TitreCo-management brings hope for effective biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi
TypeArticle

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