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Abstract
Community based natural resource management has been idealised as doubled-edged sword that could fight both rural poverty and environmental destructions. Co-management setups where locals are supposedly decision-makers in resource use and rip direct and indirect benefits of conservation were expected to lure communities to engaging in tourisms related activities and other sustainable livelihood activities. This research in Tanzania has shown that despite the fact that a studied community round Burunge wildlife management is located in tourism hotspot zone and there are favourable natural conditions for engaging in sustainable livelihoods, communities continue to engage in traditional extractive activities which conflict with objectives in conservation sector. As population increases pressure on natural resources increases to the extent that viability and acceptability of conservation narrative is starting to be questioned, which undermines the co-management imperatives. It therefore important that for community based conservation to reach its objectives more emphasis by supra-village resource custodians, development partners and large tourism business operators be directed towards building locals economic system that would engage all actors in livelihoods that capitalises on opportunities related to tourism and conservation related businesses.