Role of Communal Consumptive Natural Resources Management Approach in Addressing Community Economic Benefit in Western Tanzania

Abstract

The role of consumptive natural resources management in addressing community economic benefit in West Tanzania is much likely less known. This study was carried out to assess the impact of communal consumptive natural resources management on community economic benefit. A four-point numerical scale survey questionnaire was administered to 400 respondents, and an interview guide was administered to 40 Key Informants. Quantitative data were analyzed by SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed by Excel framing summarizing technique. The research findings indicated that communal consumptive natural resources management had a close to strong correlation and significant positive impact on community economic benefit (CEB). The linear relationship between the communal natural resources management approach and community economic benefit (CEB)Pearson (r) covariance statistical relationship correlation coefficient result was Pearson -r (733) = .73, p<.001. The positive Pearson (r) above 0.7 implied that the relationship was a strong correlation. The impact of the communal natural resources management approach on community economic benefit (CEB) was calculated through multiple linear regression. Multiple linear regression coefficient B= 1.43 at 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34, 1.53; p=0.000. The result implied that an increase of one unit of the communal consumptive model was associated with a positive increase of 1.43 CEB.   The positive increase in CEB suggests that the communal consumptive natural resources management approach significantly impacts community economic benefit (CEB).  It is recommended that to maximize community economic benefit (CEB), communal consumptive natural resources management approaches should be focused on and given significant attention. Moreover, to maximize community economic benefit (CEB), an integrated hybrid combo of consumptive approaches such as sustainable timber, and non-consumptive approaches such as avoided deforestation and increased sequestration carbon credit is recommended for terrestrial natural resources management in western Tanzania.