Abstract
Operation Villagization in Tanzania attracted the attention of many scholars, including historians, inside and outside the country. This is because it is one of the major policies in the history of Tanzania that affected many sectors. Despite the extensive scope of these studies, minimal attention has been devoted to exploring the connections between this operation and wildlife conservation. The current article uses the case of the Maswa Game Reserve (MGR) to examine the extent to which the operation affected wildlife resources conservation. In essence, it argues that poor implementation of the operation led to enormous encroachments in the MGR, which in turn reduced its size by more than 15 percent following several realignments of its western boundary. This led to loss of wildlife habitats and dispersal areas for both residents and migratory ungulates. Moreover, the operation led to a significant loss of wild animals in both the MGR and the Serengeti National Park owing to increased organised poaching activities, and the commercialisation of game meat.
Recommended Citation
Nampesya, Beny and Kangalawe, Hezron
(2024)
"Operation Villagization and Its Implications for Wildlife Conservation in South-western Serengeti, Tanzania: The Case of Maswa Game Reserve, ca. 1970s–1980s,"
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 09
:
No.
3
, Article 6.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.56279.13.1.0
Publication Date
6-18-2024
DOI
10.56279.13.1.0