As part of our commitment to community resilience and environmental conservation, GERF conducted a capacity building training for 25 local leaders in Ubena Zomozi , a small ward in Chalinze District bordering the Wami Mbiki Game Reserve in the year 2023.
This initiative followed a field survey carried out by our team, which revealed that Ubena Zomozi lies within a key wildlife corridor- buffer zone where elphants frequently migrate from Wami Mbiki to Nyerere National Park. Unfortunately, this movement has led to significant destruction of farmland and property, posing a serious challenge to the livelihoods and safety of local communities.
Through the training , GERF equipped community leaders with vital knowledge and tools to help raise awareness among other residents about living safely alongside wildlife.
The training covered
- Understanding elephant migration patterns
- Techniques for reducing human- elephant conflict
- Best practices for farm proctection and early warning systems
- Collaborative approaches to conservation and safety
By strengthening the leardership and awareness within the community, GERF aims to foster local solution that protect both people and wildlife. The trained leaders are now ambassorders of change, ready to educate their fellow community members on how to mitigate risks and coexist with nature.
This effort is a crucial step toward building a more informed, prepared and resilient community, while also contributing to the sustainable conservation of Tanzania's precious wildlife corridors.
Our key strategies is empowering the communities with altenative sources of income. Through initiatives like beekeeping, eco tourism projects, and cultural training programs, we strive to provide sustainable and viable alternatives that not only contribute to local economies but also foster a harmonious coexistince between communities and wildlife.
GERF endeavors to create a comprehensive and inclusive approach to wildlife conservation by combining boundary awareness, and sustainable livelihood projects, thereby promoting a balanced and enduring relationship between humans and the natural world.
