TITLE:
Effectiveness of Co-Management Approach for Conflict Resolution in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park and Muyuni B Community Forest, Zanzibar
AUTHORS:
Rahma Omar Hamad, Abdalla Ibrahim Ali, Wahira Juma Othman, Rahibu Abdalla Abass
KEYWORDS:
Forest, Co-Management, Conflict Resolution, Conservation, Patrolling, Training
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: Forests found in Zanzibar archipelago consist of short coral scrub to higher closed canopy forests and mangroves. Local people have been using the forests for medicinal plant uses, fuel wood, building materials and food. However, there are growing conflicts on access, ownership and uses of the forest resources despite these forests being managed by diverse management arrangements including local community participation. The study aimed to examine the level community participation in co-management for conflict resolution in Jonzani Chwaka Bay National Park (CBNP), to identify measures taken by stakeholder through co-management approaches to resolve conflict in JCBNP. The study sample of 50 respondents was obtained from the communities of Chwaka, Charawe, and Muyuni B villages. The data were collected by face-to-face interview household-based survey methods. Both descriptive and inferential data analyses were applied to meet the study objectives. The study showed that most respondents (42%) of communities do not participate in patrolling related decisions, 52% participate in trainings about forest conservation activities while only 60% participate in incentives planning related to forest conservation. The study shows that the highest rated measures (30%) of conflict resolution is the use of police forces while, the poverty reduction was rated highest (34%) positive effect of co-management approach to resolve in JCBNP, followed by 32% community empowerment. The results showed a significant relationship between actions taken to resolve conflicts and the reasons for the effectiveness of the co-management approach (Chi-Square value = 51.95, p = 0.041). There is high significant relationship (Chi-Square value = 21.996, p = 0.000) between variables “training and patrolling effectiveness” meaning that these two variables are closely related to forest conservation. The study concludes that embedding the participatory approach at JCBNP would improve the performance in reducing conflicts and enhance conservation mechanism for maintaining the equilibrium of Jozani, Chwaka Bay ecosystem.