Serengeti General Management Plan

Serengeti National Park General Management Plan
mandate, until the root causes of poaching are addressed. Therefore, this management action
will concentrate on enlisting community members residing within the Serengeti ecosystem
to enforce natural resource use byelaws on land they have set aside for conservation.
The Community Outreach Department will facilitate the Resource Protection Department to
provide support in developing and conducting the Village Game Scout training programmes.
Action 1.1.6: Solve boundary disputes
With increasing populations surrounding the Park, there are increasing demands for land,
which have led to boundary disputes with SENAPA. In recent years a boundary conflict has
emerged on the north-western boundary in the Lamai wedge, in Tarime District. This conflict
was initiated by the neighbouring villages that forcibly wanted access to the Gongora swamp,
which provides an important dry-season salt-lick and water source. In addition they were
demanding SENAPA land for cultivation and settlement to cope with the increasing populations
in the villages and the influx of immigrants from outside. In 1998, it was proposed that
the existing park boundary, which follows a line to the west of the swamp thereby excluding
access to the swamp by villagers, be aligned to divide the swamp in half and thence proceed
to a new point on the Isuria escarpment, east of where it now lies. As far as it currently
stands, the park boundary remains unchanged and the conflict has been resolved amicably.
To formerly conclude this dispute, and to minimise the chance of future boundary disputes
arising, the Resource Protection Department will work with the districts and the Community
Outreach Department to clearly demarcate the park boundary, with particular attention given
to contentious areas. Disseminating clear maps within the neighbouring districts and
amongst park staff will support the enforcement of the demarcated boundary. When intelligence
identifies new boundary disputes, the Resource Protection Department and Outreach
Department will rapidly respond to resolve the conflict at an early stage.
Action 1.1.7: Collaborate with other law enforcement agencies
The final action under this target will seek to increase the spatial extent and effectiveness of
anti-poaching operations by improving collaboration with neighbouring protected area law
enforcement agencies. Joint operations will be undertaken whenever necessary, depending
on the magnitude of the problem and availability of funds. In addition, efforts will be made to
follow-up on arrested persons, to ensure that the paperwork and legal procedures are satisfactorily
completed.
The lack of a Code of Conduct for SENAPA rangers presents a problem in carrying out effective
and efficient patrols within the Park. The Code of Conduct will be developed and put into
place by Action 2.2.1 under this programme.
Target 1.2: Safety of park visitors, personnel and property enhanced
Within the last decade, there has been a history of car hijackings and breaking and entering,
both in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Between June 2000 and January
2001, a special government operation was executed mainly in Ngorongoro District in order
to reduce the incidence of banditry. Since this operation, car hijackings and incidents of
visitor-related crime have decreased and are currently a relatively rare occurrence.
As stated in the Park Operations Strategy above, the security to visitors and staff is a high
priority to SENAPA management. At present rangers are posted continually at all major visitor
accommodation facilities on a 24-hour basis, with the exception of some SENAPA facilities
at Seronera – for example the Youth Hostel, which are in close proximity to a ranger
post.
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