The elephant in the room

Amani Mchungaji · 2016-07-06T07:37:17+00:00

The elephant in the room The powers at be are making some astute observation on the environment and land use. Land use needs to be addressed, and this is a necessary step, but the real issue is land ownership. In order for people to take full responsibility for land they need to have security of tenure over time. They will feel the need and desire to utilize the land sustainably, preserving it for future generations. The present government of Tanzania is showing willingness to honestly, realistically and openly address many tough issues. Disastrous environmental degradation and desertification is occurring in Tanzania, and the “elephant in the room” is overstocking. Cattle are embarrassingly stunted and gaunt in Tanzania. The pastureland’s carrying capacity for domestic livestock is ignored. This is not rocket science. It is clear to see that severe overgrazing is taking place year in and year out. Ground cover has been removed. The landscape is denuded and devoid of grass by the middle of the dry season, and a dust bowl by the time the rains arrive. The vital top soil is then washed away by the rains. With reduced cover flood waters turn to gushing eroding dangerous flash floods. Dams silt up reducing the capacity to produce hydro power. Less topsoil equals less pasture and agricultural produce. Less food equals hungry people. Hungry people equals unrest. While we worry about whether or not Yanga will play well against Simba. While the people bask in the prospect of gas revenues, and debate political intrigue, we are destroying our environment and ignoring the potential consequences. The term “carrying capacity”, when used with reference to natural pasture management, indicates the number of livestock units per hectare that can thrive sustainably. This figure obviously is effected by many factors. Climatic conditions, soil type, topography and so on, but it can be deduced. The point is that while it is clear to see the disastrous environmental degradation taking place in front of our eyes, this can be addressed. All that is lacking is the will. Something that is being addressed is the land use issue. Land is classified at present as agricultural which includes both arable and pastoral. This is causing conflict. Pastoral land must be designated to control the expansion of arable, residential and commercial land. Irresponsible and frequent burning and deforestation are important contributors to the problem, but until “we the people” are willing to tackle the thorny issue and limit the number of livestock, we are wasting our breath. The answer is three fold: education, security of tenure of the land (a sense of ownership and responsibility) and education (not a printing error). Realistic and sustainable stocking rates must be established and enforced. This will not be a popular movement. Hence the need for concurrent land reform and education to sweeten the bitter pill. A populist politician (and I use the word in its contemporary derogatory sense) will not be willing to take this on. It will require a great and courageous leader to tackle the issue. To accomplish anything worthwhile will take foresight, pragmatism, courage, tenacity and grass roots support. Even a bulldozer has sensitive controls that require deft concise and subtle operation. Ignore this issue at your own peril. Our long term future as at stake and are we prepared to do what is necessary? Amani. A. Mchungaji

Thread starter Amani Mchungaji
Start date Jul 6, 2016

Amani Mchungaji

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The elephant in the room

Amani Mchungaji

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