Human wildlife conflict as a threat to human security in southern Africa: a case of northern Botswana (2008 – 2018).

Abstract

Human Wildlife Conflict has been a protracted socio-economic challenge that confront all global human and wildlife habitats. Given its severity in majority of African states, where variety of wild animal population are found, the challenge presents a continental level threat to human security, which calls for a holistic policy and academic analysis pursued by this study. To better comprehend the challenge of HWC, as a challenge to human security, this study reviews a case of Northern Botswana where the HWC has been persistent for decades, with a multi-dimensional consequences which impacts on human security in different ways. The study has three objectives which are, firstly to determine the extent to which the HWC is a threat to human-security in Northern Botswana, secondly, to investigate the role of international community in HWC in Northern Botswana and thirdly, to evaluate the current approaches used to manage HWC in Northern Botswana. This study adopted two theoretical foundations: Social Conflict Theory and Stakeholder Theory. Based on the exploratory research design, data was collected from 104 persons (90 households in Chobe District, 4 officers in crop sector and livestock sector, 2 wildlife managers, 2 traditional leaders, 2 military officials and 4 representatives of the international community). Data was gathered through use of questionnaires as well as desktop-review of existing literature. Data was analyzed using SPSS and conceptual content analysis techniques. The findings obtained shows that, HWC occur due to encroachment of people on wildlife habitat. As a result, both parties compete for scarce resources, which leads to conflict that negatively affects humans’ social, cultural and economic life. Further, the international community plays a great role in wildlife conservation in Botswana, through funding and formulation of conservation policies, which are domesticated into national policies. Lastly, the government of Botswana has initiated various strategies and approaches aimed at combating HWC. However, their effectiveness are outweighed by myriad of challenges, which require scientific evidence and engagement of all stakeholders in curbing this menace. Various recommendations can be deduced from the study which include; there is need to engage all the stakeholders in formulating strategies to mitigate HWC, with solutions that are not imported from outside, but coming from the community and suitable to the local situation. Additionally, the private sector investment should be engaged in the CBNRM identified projects in the communities, to expand the projects and create more opportunities and employment, in order to reduce reliance on hunting and dependency syndrome from government.