Ashura Rajabu
- @Ashurarajabu
- | Ashura
My name is Ashura Rajabu, a conservationist working with the Grumeti Fund's Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Unit, where I focus on finding sustainable solution to reduce conflict between communities and wildlife. After participating in the Women in Conservation Technology (WiCT) training 2023, I was inspired to lead a pilot project in Hunyari village, constructing a resilient boma to help protect livestock from predators and support community safety.
In Hunyari village, livestock predation by lions, leopards, and hyenas is a major issue. Families, like Mr. Mandira’s, suffer significant losses due to the weakness of traditional thorn bomas, which are easily breached by predators. For Mr. Mandira, whose livestock are essential for food, income, and school fees, financial constraints had prevented him from building a more secure enclosure.
With support from WiCT program, we built a resilient boma for Mr. Mandira’s family using durable wire fencing and sustainable local materials. Since its construction, there have been no incidents of livestock predation, bringing peace of mind to the family. This successful project demonstrates how modern conservation solutions, combined with locally available resources, can effectively address community challenges and has shown others the value of a well-built boma.
This project, initially implemented for one family, serves as a model for nearby communities, sparking interest in stronger livestock protection. Through active community engagement, we shared knowledge on predator deterrence and boma maintenance, fostering local support. The success of this pilot lays the foundation for scaling resilient bomas across Bunda District. My next step is to monitor the effectiveness of the resilient boma in mitigating human-carnivore conflict and inspire more families to build similar bomas through continued conservation education.
Special thanks to ARM, WILDLABS, Fauna & Flora International, and the Grumeti Fund for their generous support in making this project possible.
Related content
Article
Traditional log bomas, used to protect livestock, are being replaced by more resilient wire fences. Wire fences offer several advantages: they are more durable, and provide better security against predators. This...
15 June 2024
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