GE 352: PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT (Lecture)

PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT 

Meaning

IUCN; an area of land or sea specifically dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources managed through legal or other effective means 

Origin

Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit 1992 (United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity )

That;  Each party must as far as possible:

1.     Establish a system of protected areas or areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity

2.     Develop where necessary guidelines for the selection, establishment and management of protected areas

Protected areas meet the general purposes as in the definition, but in practice the precise purpose for which protected areas are managed differ from different categories

THERE ARE SIX (6) CATEGORIES/TYPES (IUCN CATEGORY);

1       (a)Strict nature reserve or  (b) Wilderness area

2       National Park

3       Natural Monument

4       Habitat/Species Management Area

5       Protected landscape/seascape

6       Managed resource protected area

1. (a)STRICT NATURE RESERVE

Purpose; for science (The study of physical and Natural world)

It is an area of land or sea possessing some outstanding or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features or species available primarily for scientific  research or environmental  monitoring

Eg. Amani Nature Reserve  Eastern Arc mountain (Uluguru, East Usanbara,Udzungwa)- propositions are underway

(b) WILDERNESS AREA

An area managed mainly for wilderness protection

Unmodified or slightly modified land or sea retaining its natural character and influence without permanent or significant human habitation which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condition.

Uninhabited area of land in its natural uncultivated state, sometimes deliberately preserved. e.g. a forest or mountainous region, dry area wetlands etc

2: NATIONAL PARKS 

-Purpose; ecosystem protection and recreation

Eg. Serengeti, Mikumi, etc

-        It is a natural area of land or sea designed

*To protect ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations.

*To exclude exploitation or occupation to the purposes of designation/specification of the area. 

*For spiritual scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.

3. NATURAL MONUMENT S

Purpose; conservation of specific natural features or historical, cultural, and aesthetic importance

Eg.  Mbozi meteorite, Amboni caves, Natural monument in lake Manyara , Bismark rocks – Mwanza.

An area containing one or more specific natural or cultural feature which is of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative qualities,  or cultural significance. 

4: HABITATS OR SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREA 

Purpose; to manage the areas for conservation through management   intervention (Endangered species protection/ management)

E.g. Game reserves – habitat, Ngorongoro conservation area (NCA) – species – habitat   

It is the area of land or sea subjected to active intervention for management purposes so as to ensure maintenance of habitats to meet the requirements of specific species. 

5:  PROTECTED LANDSCAPE OR SEASCAPE 

-Purpose; management of landscape and seascape for conservation and recreation. 

E.g. *Seascape in Tanzania; Rufiji – Mafia complex

*Landscape Longido Heart lands; slopes of mount Kilimanjaro and Savannah area of Longido Contains mammal and birds (more than 400 species)

In this area, the Maasai people (pastoralists) have lived here for over 400 years; they have co-existed with the wildlife in a relative harmony.  

Tarangire / Manyara Heart land

It is an area of land or sea where the interaction of people and nature overtime has produced an area of distinct character with significant ecological or cultural values and often with biological diversity. 

6. MANAGED RESOURCES PROTECTED AREA

Purpose; to protect a resource for sustainable use of ecosystem

E.g. many forest reserves, Kazimzumbwe protected area, Mafia Island, Mnazi bay, Ngorongoro Crater etc

It is an area containing predominantly natural systems managed to ensure long term protection and maintenance of biological diversity while at the sometime providing sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet community needs. 

By

Chrisant, E

HOD Geography

St. Augustine University of Tanzania- Mwanza