Looking at responsible tourism, the Maasai communities in East
Africa are the most affected segment of the population through tourism
development. Having their pasture land taken by governments of Tanzania
and Kenya for wildlife conservation and development of high-class
tourist hotels, the Maasai pastoral communities have been forced to
migrate to other parts of Tanzania, a situation which had created
endless conflicts with farmers.
In Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania, there is a big
difference of which the Maasai communities are the leading beneficiaries
of tourism and tourist development in the area, hence the leading
custodians in wildlife and nature conservation.
As a matter to resolve conflicts and creating peace between local
communities, tourist stakeholders, and wildlife conservators, the Maasai
communities are equally sharing tourism revenues accrued from over
400,000 tourists visiting the area every year to generate over US$45
million. Part of the revenue has been directed to develop
income-generating projects basing on livestock products. A livestock
ranch has been developed through funding from the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area Authority which manages and conserves the wildlife in
the area.
The Authority has released funds to develop a Ramat Ranch to train
and expose the Maasai communities to modern technology on livestock
keeping, focusing on high-quality beef, dairy, and other livestock
products including hides and skins.
Occupying a total area of 30 kilometers with a fenced area of 2 x 1
kilometers, this Maasai community ranch will feed tourist hotels in the
conservation area with high-quality beef and milk, said Elias Nanguu, a
local Maasai leader. Located in the Kakesio Maasai community, Ramat
Ranch is a good example of a tourism product and which will change the
Maasai nomadic lifestyle to a permanent settlement, hence reduce
conflicts between pastoral and farming communities in Tanzania.
Under special arrangement, every Maasai pastoralist will be required
to apply modern livestock technology through the ranch. A modern buttery
and milk products factory is planned for livestock product processing.
Hotels and lodges inside the conservation area are the targeted clients
to purchase beef and dairy products from the Maasai pastoralists through
Ramat Ranch, hence raising incomes of the local pastoral communities.
In addition to the direct sales of livestock products, this ranch will
employ local Maasai staff, said the Maasai leader.
Metui ole-Shaudo, leader of the Maasai Pastoral Council in the
conservation area, said this livestock ranch will be a training unit
where the pastoralists will get the best training on modern livestock
keeping. Cattle dips and veterinary centers have been established
through funding from theNgorongoro Conservation Area Authority, aiming
to raise livestock output within the conservation area. The Pastoral
Council is a local Maasai community organization which is charged with
coordinating activities involving the welfare of the locals inside the
conservation area.
Direct tourist revenue allocated to the Maasai community’s pastoral
council stands at US$1.5 million per year and whose part of the revenue
targets income-generating projects for the Maasai community. Apart from
the livestock ranch, a modern tourist hostel has been established
through funding from Ngorongoro Conservation Authority. Located at
Mokilal locality inside the conservation area, the hostel has 13
well-furnished rooms for international-class tourists.
The Authority has released some US$300,000 for construction of this
facility (hostel) which is located inside a Maasai locality. The hostel
is expected to generate revenues that would raise the Maasai community
incomes within the conservation area, making them benefit from tourist
gains.
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