Management effectiveness and conservation initiatives in the Kilombero Valley Flood Plains Ramsar Site, Tanzania

Abstract

Management effectiveness of the Kilombero Valley Flood Plains Ramsar Site (KVFPRS) was assessed to determine the extent to which management interventions in the Ramsar site have been effective in addressing threats  to the wetland resources. The assessment used the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT). This tool is composed of a set of questions that address the different steps and stages or elements of management necessary to achieve the  objectives of management of the area for which it was established. We  identified 16 key issues to the management of the KVFP Ramsar site out of the 30 main issues used to evaluate the management effectiveness by the WCPA tracking tool. According to managers of the Ramsar site in both Kilombero and Ulanga Districts, the management effectiveness of the KVFPRS is 39%. The %age score ranking given in this wetland reserve was low, suggesting that there has been little success in protecting the wetland. Discussions with key informants and local communities revealed that the current condition of the wetland is poor and not well managed which was attributed to poor law enforcement (34%) and inadequate implementation of planned management interventions (66%). The majority of the  respondents admitted encroachment both for agriculture (28%) and  settlements (14%), illegal fishing and destruction of fish breeding sites (13%), wildfire (3%), poaching (4%), deforestation (8%) and overgrazing  by livestock (31%) were the major wetland degrading activities. The  adjacent communities and district management suggested clear policy and regulations (31%), the need for their involvement in the management (23%), patrols (17%), and regular environmental education (10%) as ways  to mitigate wetland degradation. It was also suggested that a change in the current status of the protected area into a wetland reserve and  management of livestock populations would ensure proper management and conservation of the wetland resources. Several conservation  interventions/initiatives have been undertaken to counter wetland  degradation including the declaration of the KVFPRS as a Ramsar Site, preparation of integrated management plan for the site and establishment  of game controlled areas around the Ramsar Site.  Community involvement in planning and implementation of required actions and adequate monitoring of the performance of these interventions are crucial in order to establish their effectiveness and corrective measures and will likely improve management effectiveness.

Key Words: Management, effectiveness, Kilombero, Ramsar Site, METT