Complexities of Conflict: Climate Change, Elephants and Local Livelihoods in Lupane, Zimbabwe
Issue: Vol.5 No.13 Issue Article 28 pp.2382-2397
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451328 | Published online 31st October, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The conflict between humans and wildlife can result in negative impacts on both parties and hinder conservation efforts. By predicting how conflict risks may change with a growing agricultural sector and human population under a changing climate, policymakers can effectively allocate resources for mitigating and conserving conflict-prone species and regions. This study investigated the drivers of human-elephant conflict in Lupane, Zimbabwe, emphasizing the role of climate change and variability. Using an ethnographic approach informed by the sustainable livelihoods framework and political ecology, it examined how changing climatic conditions, such as water shortages, rising temperatures, and diminishing grazing, exacerbate conflicts between humans and elephants. These challenges have led to increased human intrusion into elephant territories, driven by collapsing rain-fed agriculture and a need for diversification into forestry-based livelihoods. The consequences of this conflict have been severe, resulting in injuries, deaths, damage to crops and infrastructure, economic losses, and food insecurity for affected households. As human populations grow and the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the risk and geographical spread of human-elephant conflict are expected to escalate. The study highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics to inform policymakers in resource allocation for conflict mitigation and conservation efforts. It also critiques existing institutional support systems for addressing human-elephant conflict, assessing their climate sensitivity. To enhance sustainability, the research advocates for integrating empirical data on human-wildlife coexistence into international conservation policies and developing comprehensive, long-term strategies at a transboundary level, particularly in the context of climate change.
Keywords: Conflict, Climate Change, Elephants, Livelihoods, Conservation
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Dr. Douglas Nyathi is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg whose research critically examines the intersections of climate change, gender dynamics, and livelihood diversification within marginalized communities. His work focuses on the disproportionate effects of climate-induced displacement on women, particularly in rural Zimbabwe, a region marked by socio-economic vulnerabilities. Through extensive field studies, Dr Nyathi analyzes how women adapt their agricultural practices in response to changing climatic conditions while pursuing alternative income sources, revealing the resilience strategies underpinning their survival. By emphasizing the unique challenges faced by these communities, Dr Nyathi contributes to a deeper understanding of gendered responses to climate stressors and advocates for the integration of gender-sensitive approaches in environmental policies. His commitment to social justice aims to amplify the voices of women and marginalized populations affected by climate change. As he engages with a variety of stakeholders, his research aspires to inform policies that prioritize the needs and resilience of the most impacted communities, ultimately fostering a more equitable and empathetic response to global climate challenges.
Prof. Joram Ndlovu serves as an Associate Professor and Academic Leader for Research within the School of Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, bringing over three decades of substantial academic experience and research acumen in various universities across Southern Africa. His prolific scholarly contributions include numerous publications across interdisciplinary domains, including but not limited to tourism enterprises, digitalization, destination branding, cultural and heritage tourism, and social well-being. He has further demonstrated a commitment to academic mentorship by supervising over twenty Masters and PhD candidates, fostering the next generation of scholars in the social sciences. Prof. Ndlovu’s research interests are particularly focused on the intricate intersections of livelihoods, climate change, and indigenous knowledge systems. He critically investigates how indigenous communities navigate and adapt to environmental challenges through the utilization of traditional ecological knowledge, thereby sustaining their livelihoods in the face of climate variability. His scholarly inquiries delve into the mechanisms by which these communities leverage their cultural heritage and knowledge to foster resilience against climate-induced disruptions.
Joram, Ndlovu & Douglas Nyathi. “Complexities of Conflict: Climate Change, Elephants and Local Livelihoods in Lupane, Zimbabwe ,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.13 (2024): 2382-2397. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451328
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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