Human dimensions and ecological success of CAMPFIRE in Zimbabwe.

Conserving natural resources outside protected areas has its own challenges. Participation and acceptance play an important role in CBNRM. The following hypotheses were tested (a) attitudes and perceptions of the respondents’ towards wildlife vary with selected socio-economic variables, b) satisfaction derived from CAMPFIRE benefits has an influence on attitudes and perceptions of respondents’ and (c) respondents’ attitudes and perceptions vary with distance to the Park boundary. The study employed a questionnaire and participatory research tools such as Key Informant Interviews, one-to-one informal discussions and participant observation. The main findings showed that depending on respondents’ background and distance from the park boundary, they faced different wildlife-related problems and had different views about CAMPFIRE’s success. Accountability and monitoring would be a crucial prerequisite for ecological success.