Traditional land management system in Shinyanga
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On the international day to eradicate poverty and conserve the environment in 2002, Hifadhi Ardhi Shinyanga (HASHI) project was among the 27 projects, which was selected to serve as an example to the world of an innovative partnership, in an effort to create jobs and eradicate poverty while protecting the environment. These projects were chosen from 420 nominations from 77 countries.
HASHI started in 1986 as an environmental conservation project following the decision that was reached during National meeting on environment, which was held in 1984 at Shinyanga. The leaders met to discuss how to combat land degradation that was threatening half of Tanzania including Shinyanga region. The meeting directed the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to take measures to halt reverse the desertification process beginning with Shinyanga. The Ministry therefore established the HASHI project in Shinyanga region on June 1986. The project adopted the participatory extension approach, which involved the local people in planning project activities. The people of this region accepted the participatory approaches hence introduced their indigenous system of forest management known as Ngitili. Ngitili is an indigenous natural resource management system through which dry fodder is conserved as standing hay. This traditional system was developed in response to acute shortage of fodder caused by long and frequent droughts and shortage of grazing land. Traditionally ngitili were located near household to cater for sick animals, calves, and oxen. The system involves protection of land during the wet season so that natural regeneration of indigenous species may take place. The HASHI project has a broad success in reversing the degradation in the dry lands of Shinyanga region in Tanzania through this traditional form of enclosure. Through the project effort 70% of the people have been able to re-establish their traditional Ngitili system. It is estimated between 350,000-500,000 ha in Shinyanga are managed as Ngitili. This is a significant achievement in the region whose vegetation cover was formerly deckling fast. People's effort during the past two decades has reversed the desertification trend in Shinyanga region. Experience gained by HASHI and other participatory projects in Tanzania contributed in making the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to consider revision of the National Forest Policy. Indeed the new forest policy, which become effective in March 1998, encourages local people's participation in forest management. This is one of the positive lessons we have learnt from adoption of indigenous knowledge in forest management. We hope that people in other places will participate effective in forest management as people of Shinyanga are doing. For further information contact Center Manager, Natural Forest Resources and Agroforestry Center (NAFRAC), P.O.BOX 797, Shinyanga, Tanzania. E-mail hashi@africaonline.co.tz |
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