Authorities at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) have pledged closer cooperation with neighboring communities to tackle escalating human–wildlife conflicts that continue to threaten livelihoods in surrounding districts.
The Deputy Commissioner responsible for Conservation, Tourism and Community Development, Mr Joas Makwati, made the commitment on October 1, 2025, during a meeting with leaders from villages in Karatu and Monduli.
He was accompanied by the Senior Assistant Commissioner for Community Development, Ms Gloria Bideberi.
Local leaders voiced growing frustration over elephants and buffalos invading farms and homesteads, destroying crops, and undermining household incomes in communities heavily dependent on agriculture. They warned that without urgent solutions, many families risk sliding deeper into poverty.
Mr Makwati acknowledged the scale of the problem and stressed the importance of collective action.
“This engagement is not only about maintaining good relations it is about forging strategies that will protect people’s livelihoods while conserving wildlife,” he said.
The NCAA has intensified outreach initiatives in villages bordering the conservation area, holding regular dialogues to listen to community concerns and explore joint measures for reducing conflicts.
Officials argue that building trust and cooperation with local residents is key to sustaining conservation efforts in one of Tanzania’s most iconic World Heritage Sites, which also underpins the country’s tourism economy.