The role of traditional knowledge and local institutions in the conservation of micro-catchment forests among the Sonjo agro-pastoralists, Ngorongoro district, Tanzania

Abstract

Early attempts to solve environmental problems without local people’s knowledge and institutions involvement have achieved very little success. Consequently the rate of natural resources degradation particularly in developing countries is still very high despite efforts to halt the situation. This study was undertaken to assess the role of traditional knowledge and local institutions in the conservation of micro-catchment forests among the Sonjo agro-pastoralists in Ngorongoro district, Tanzania. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), household questionnaire survey, participant observation and focus group discussions were the methods used in data collection. Data collected through PRA were analyzed with the help of the participants and Content and Structural-Functional analyses techniques were employed to analyze qualitative data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 11.5) programme was used to analyze quantitative data. The results revealed that there are two types of micro-catchment forests namely, traditionally managed and formally managed microcatchment forests. The existence of various tree management practices such as indigenous tree planting and retention and protection of sacred forests were observed and that 98% of the respondents retained trees and 54% carry out tree planting while 46% did not engage in tree planting. Further more, the study revealed that the Benamijie, Batana and Baghorowane were the most prominent internally sponsored institutions whereas village governments, primary schools and village environmental committees were the most important externally sponsored institutions involved in the conservation of micro-catchment forests. The results also showed that age and education level of the respondents had significant (P < 0.05) influence on resilience of micro-catchment forests whereas gender inequality was the factor behind the erosion ii of the micro-catchment forests. The study concluded by saying that traditionally managed micro-catchment forests were in good condition as compared to formally managed ones probably due to effectiveness of traditional institutions although the local government does not seem to support traditional efforts in micro-catchment forests conservation. The study recommended that there is a need for local government in the district to recognize and support the existing local institutions especially traditional institutions as essential and key partners in the conservation of micro-catchment forests.