The purpose of this project is to determine the efficacy of community conservation enterprises in improving the livelihoods of people living in communities across Greater Virunga Transboundary Landscape while reducing illegal activities in the parks that threaten wildlife and their habitats. Specific activities include: 1) determining form, frequency, and severity of illegal activities across the GVTL over a 9-year period (2007-2015) by examining and plotting spatially all illegal activities reported through the Ranger-based Monitoring System; 2) examining community development benefits and personal household revenues received through the community conservation enterprises by households living in communities adjacent to the parks; 3) measuring local residents’ perceptions regarding the effect of community conservation enterprises (community lodges, craft centers, cultural villages, and park revenue sharing) on their food, economic, health and education security; 4) assessing the perceptions of local residents regarding the effectiveness of community conservation enterprises in reducing illegal activities; and 5) comparing perceptions of illegal activities with actual data on form, frequency, and severity of illegal activities in the GVTL.
The Effectiveness of Community Conservation Enterprises as a Tool for sustainable Community Livelihoods and Conservation of Mountain Gorillas across the Virunga Transboundary Landscape
