Emmanuel Lwankomezi

Dr. Emmanuel Lwankomezi is a Lecturer in the department of Geography at St. Augustine University of Tanzania. He holds a PhD in environmental studies from the Open University of Tanzania, specializing in wildlife governance, conservation and environmental justice. He obtained a MSc in Natural Resources Management from The University of Dodoma, Tanzania. Emmanuel has 12 years of teaching and research in Tanzania and he was a visiting scholar at the Emmanuel Christian College in Goli, Yei River County, South Sudan. He was research fellow at the University of Cologne for 2023/2024 working on the “Prospects of Community Participation in Wildlife Conservation, Tanzania”. Emmanuel is a research associate under the project “Charcoal conflict in climate change's decarbonization dilemma: knots of livelihood, nutrition, communities, gender, migration, and energy in East Africa.” Emmanuel was offered  LUCAS/LAHRI Virtual Visiting Research Fellowship 2024 carring out project on “Enhancing human-wildlife coexistence: a multidisciplinary approach around protected areas in Tanzania”. He will collaborate with Dr Jennifer Hodbod Professor specialized in Food systems; social-ecological resilience; human-environment interactions at Leeds university.

Project abstract

Human-wildlife conflict poses significant threats to human and biodiversity conservation in protected areas. This project aims to develop a multidisciplinary and comprehensive strategy to enhance human-wildlife coexistence in wildlife-rich areas. The project aims to address causes, disputes, encourage sustainable practices, and cultivate positive interaction between local communities and wildlife by incorporating ecological, social, and technical solutions. This research represents a holistic effort to tackle the multifaceted challenges of human-wildlife conflicts in Makao wildlife management areas in Tanzania. This research combines the social and ecological dimensions to create a sustainable coexistence that safeguards wildlife and improves communities' livelihoods. The research seeks to reduce pressure on the environment by proposing alternative income sources to ensure the thriving of local communities and wildlife. The research will establish collaborative partnerships with conservationists, government agencies and non-governmental organizations to ensure that interventions and lessons learned are replicated in different protected areas.  The research will contribute invaluable insight into a balance needed to foster coexistence between wildlife and the human population. This research is vital because it links social equitability and ecological effectiveness, which can be replicated in other protected areas worldwide.