Forestry related land use in the West Usambara mountains, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper reviews socio-economic and ecological aspects of land use in the West Usambara mountains. It also examines the state of degradation, the existing farming systems and discusses some factors causing land use problems in the area. The major cause of land degradation in the Usambaras is ascribed to increased deforestation in the recent past coupled with inappropriate farming practices including overgrazing. Deforestation is caused by population growth which necessitates the expansion of farmlands and settlement, and uncontrolled harvesting or cutting often followed by uncontrolled grazing. Overgrazing is a problem mainly on common or community areas. Soil erosion is evident in many parts of the Usambaras where devegetation has occurred. Furthermore, rapid population growth has increased the demand for more cleared land in order to satisfy increased food and settlement needs. The use of improved farming practices is limited, inter alia, by inefficient means of production. As most peasants have limited alternative means of production, the expansion of farmlands is achieved largely through clearing of natural forests. Clearing of the forests reduces occurrence of certain species of plants and habitats they provide. State proclamation of land as a public property, coupled with an inappropriate land tenure system, has failed to provide a land use system capable of stabilizing in a productive and diverse state. There is a pressing need for redressing the land use problems in order to enhance sustainable use of land-based resources in the Usambaras.