The evolution of wildlife conservation policies in Tanzania during the colonial and post independence periods

There have long been conflicting interests between politicians, policy-makers and the government on the one hand, and the local people on the other, over the use of resources in Tanzania. One of these resources is wildlife. Most developing countries depend heavily on their natural resources, and Tanzania is no exception. The country’s economic development and social well-being depend to a large extent on the development and sustainable utilisation of natural resources such as land, water, minerals, forests and wildlife. To achieve these goals, Tanzania has, since political independence in 1961, formulated policies to guide wildlife conservation activities. Some of these policies date back to the colonial period.