The case of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region Tanzania

KEYWORD: Community-based Natural Forest Management, Africa. Africa, Tanzania, conservation, land use, protected areas, decentralization, governance, institutions, community participation, conflict, customary rules, case study, lessons learned. SUMMARY: The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) of Tanzania is not an example of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) as the community has, to date, had no involvement in the management decision making for the NCA. This assessment thus, looks at the issues and conflicts from the management and community perspectives with the objective of drawing out lessons that may contribute to understanding what is needed to involve of communities in CBNRM.The NCA occupies 8,292 km2 in Ngorongoro District, Arusha region and consists of 14 Maasai communities and approximately 42,000 people. The NCA has seen a period of about 30 years where local communities have been completely disenfranchised from any control over their own socio-economic development and the development of the NCA. This has left a legacy of mistrust and low levels of respect for NCA management decisions and staff. The following recommendations are derived from this appraisal of the NCA: Damage is caused by adopting entrenched, inflexible stances toward natural resource management that alienate the human factor of the environment;There is need for a financially, legislatively and jurisdictionally transparent environment where all stakeholders can participate in clearly defined roles; Equitable socio-economic development strategies based on community needs must accompany NCA conservation initiatives.