Indigenous Land Tenure System as a Hindrance to the Development of Pandam Wildlife Park

Pandam Wildlife Park (PWP) is home to diverse wildlife resources. Indiscriminate encroachment by surrounding communities has become major problem to sustainability of biodiversity management. For this study, semi- structured household survey questionnaire was used in four surrounding communities of the park; Pandam village, Kyarda, Aningo and Nasukuuk. A total of 1324 questionnaires were administered in the surrounding communities out of 4200 estimated households, representing about 31.5%. Data collected was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, tables and chi- square analysis. Result revealed that about 89.5% of the land belongs to individuals in the community (customary land tenure system) as against 10.5% statutory. The study also revealed that 53% of the people claimed that the land tenure system impacted negatively on Pandam Wildlife Park while 47% believed otherwise. The data analyzed using chi-square statistical analysis confirmed that there is significant difference between the surrounding communities in relation to the effect of land tenure system (0.05) on PWP. Alongside the land tenure system threat are farm encroachment, settlement and grazing activities. Wildlife co-existing with rural dwellers is difficult to maintain and sustain. Therefore, active participations of local dwellers and awareness are fundamental to establishment, development and sustenance for any protective Area/park.