I am Cornelio Lengai, a Tanzanian national and a postgraduate student at the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM), Mweka, pursuing a Master of Science in Conservation Leadership. I am registered under Reg. No. MDCL-TZ-2024-4800 and supervised by Prof. Alex Wilbard Kisingo and Dr. Kwaslema Malle Hariohay. I have academic training and professional interest in tourism, wildlife conservation, natural resource governance, and community-based conservation. My academic orientation emphasizes decentralized governance systems, institutional capacity, and stakeholder participation in the management of wildlife resources outside core protected areas. Through my studies, I have developed a strong understanding of Tanzania’s wildlife policy framework, local government structures, and the operational dynamics of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). My interest in decentralized wildlife governance is informed by my familiarity with conservation challenges at the local government and community levels, particularly issues related to authority devolution, institutional coordination, human–wildlife conflict, and benefit-sharing mechanisms. Babati District was selected as the study area due to its ecological significance within the Tarangire–Manyara ecosystem and its long-standing experience with community-based wildlife conservation initiatives, notably the Burunge Wildlife Management Area. This study forms part of the academic requirements for the award of the MSc. in Conservation Leadership at CAWM, Mweka. I intend that the findings of this research will contribute to improved policy implementation, strengthened institutional capacity, and enhanced community participation in decentralized wildlife governance in Tanzania.