THE AFRICAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL

Analysis of Power Relations on Timber Value Chain in Liwale and Ruangwa Districts, Tanzania

Mary C. Magiri , Jumanne M. Abdallah, Leopold P. Lusambo — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study intended to investigate power relations among dominant institutions guiding timber value chain in Liwale and Ruangwa districts, Lindi. It adopted across sectional research design whereby qualitative methods of data collection were used. The main objective of this study was to analyze power relations that underlie timber value chain and identify actors on the value chain. Specifically, the study determined the existing power relations on the timber value chain in Liwale and Ruangwa districts. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations to answer the research questions and then analyzed using a DEDOOSE platform. The results indicated that, there were several actors in the timber value chain, including timber dealers, customers, village communities, Village Natural Resource Committees (VNRCs), district governments, forest officers, NGOs, and government agencies. Also, there are three levels of value addition which are community, district and national levels. These were associated with the customer demand from within the specific community, district and national wise. Apart from that the dominant institutions guiding timber value chain were the Tanzania National Forest Policy and the Forest Act which provide a timber value chain framework. Also, institutional, supportive and strategic power relations were the type of power relations that were identified to be underlying timber value chain. Furthermore, power struggles were observed to be existing among the Tanzania Forest Service (TFS) agents and the Forest Officers mainly on the issue of the revenue collected. The study recommends that, all actors in the timber value chain should play their roles in a way that they do not compromise the ability of other actors attain their goals. Also, to solve the issue of power struggles between the TFS and the local government Forest Officers then amendment of rules and regulations should be done.

The Fate of Selected Heavy Metals in River Water, Fruits and Vegetables to Potential Human Health Risks: The Case of Rau River in Moshi District, Tanzania

Josephat Alexander Saria — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The presence of heavy metals in our environment significantly contributes to pollution in our food supply, particularly in fruits and vegetables. To analyze the levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn in green leafy vegetable (Amaranthus sp), fruit Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) and the Rau river water, an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used. Three sampling sites were selected, including one site with the least impact, Mawela and two highly impacted sites, Majengo and Msaranga. The order of heavy metal concentrations in the river water was found to be Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cd, with the majority of the levels exceeding the acceptable standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). There was significant variation in the concentrations of heavy metals in fruit. For example, the range of concentrations (mean ± standard deviation) observed were as follows: Fe (70.700 ± 1.532 to 221.010 ± 0.661 mg/kg), Cu (1.372 ± 0.047 to 2.540 ± 0.195 mg/kg), Zn (41.072 ± 0.519 to 45.718 ± 0.651 mg/kg), Pb (below detection limit to 0.398 ± 0.012 mg/kg), and Cd (0.031 ± 0.013 to 0.243 ± 0.112 mg/kg). The heavy metal concentration in Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) did not correlate with the levels found in the water samples. This disparity could be attributed to the watermelon's tendency to hyper-accumulate Cd from the river water. The hazard index, which assesses the potential health risks, indicates that the ingestion of vegetables exceeds a value of 1, while that of fruits remains below 1. Despite the heavy metal contamination levels in the tested vegetables and fruits being below the safe limit, there is a significant health concern regarding long-term exposure to even low doses of toxic elements. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct regular monitoring of heavy metals in all types of food items to accurately assess the health risks associated with heavy metal exposure in the human food chain.

Peri-Urban Land Use/Cover Change in Songea Municipality, Tanzania

Bernard Baraka Komba — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Peri-urban land cover change in developing countries is taking place at a rapid rate following an increase in population in urban areas. This paper assessed land cover changes in peri-urban areas in developing countries. It specifically focuses to determine land cover changes which have occurred between 2003 and 2016 and exploring causes of land cover change in Songea peri-urban areas. The study applied a mixed research design as it involved quantitative and qualitative approaches. 132 heads of households were randomly selected and used in the study as a sample. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Arc-Map 10.1 was used to analyse Google earth downloaded images of 2003 and 2016. Other data were analysed using SPSS version 20 based on descriptive analysis and content analysis was used for collecting qualitative data. Findings revealed that land cover changed from farm, grassland, and swamp into the built-up area following population increase in Ruhuwiko. The built-up area increased from 31% to 61 % while the cultivated area decreased from 31% in 2003 to 15% in 2016. 82% of the respondents pointed out that population increase in peri-urban areas were the main cause of land cover change. The study concluded that peri-urban land cover is changing toward built up areas and population increase is the main cause for peri-urban land cover change unlike climate change and infrastructural development. The study recommends enforcing urban planning regulation to avoid unplanned settlements.

Decentralisation of Wildlife Conservation in Tanzania: Analysing Stakeholders' Power Relationship in Makao Wildlife Management Area

Emmanuel B. Lwankomezi, James Kisozaem, Emmanuel Patroba Mhache — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examined power devolution in Makao Wildlife Management Area (WMA) using the descriptive research design. Three villages, Jinamo, Mwabagimu, and Makao, were purposively selected out of seven villages. The data collection method included questionnaires (281 heads of households), key informant interviews (9), focus group discussions (1 in each village), and a literature review. Results showed that WMA actors were internal (local community) and external (State agencies and investors). External actors were powerful and influenced most decisions in WMA, hence the lack of power devolution. Results further showed that the state remains a very authoritative player in all decision-making processes where stakeholders in the whole process are practically powerless, and formations of Authorised Associations do not empower the local communities. The study found several effects of power disparities like limited resource access, ineffective conflict resolution, insufficient enforcement of regulations and reduced accountability. This study recommends advocacy for local 'community empowerment to minimise power disparity among WMA actors through legal and policy reforms.

Assessment of Community Participation in Solid Waste Management in Lindi Municipal Council, Tanzania

Irene Aurelia Tarimo — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study examined determinants of community participation in solid waste management in Lindi Municipal Council, Tanzania. The results of the first objective found that majority (92%) of household members were willing to pay for solid waste management services. Female were more willing to pay by (94%) in comparison with males (88%). In the second objective, 87 (64%) respondents reported that motivating factors to pay for solid waste management services was for them to make their environment clean. The other findings indicated that respondents 79 (59%) were not satisfied with the services of solid waste management provided by Lindi Municipality. Further findings revealed that (88%) of the penalties imposed on those who breach solid waste laws and regulations agreement were weak. It is recommended to community and all the stakeholders to cooperate in participation and willingness to pay for solid waste management services. Further, the Municipalities, Ministries of the Environment, Health and Social Services, Education, Water and energy resources, Policy makers, NGOs, CBOs, as well as private-public partnerships (PPPs) must collaborate in coordination, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation on solid waste management in Tanzania. There should be a separate department to deal directly with waste management in the country to enhance effectiveness.

Qualitative Assessment of Marine Environmental Quality Along the Coast of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Wilfred J. Kileo, Mansour R. Likamba, Majid M. Kunambi, Matobola J. Mihale — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper presents qualitative assessment of marine environmetal quality on the selected beaches and coastal areas including the port of Dar es Salaam. With the long-held misconception, the huge and resilient ocean could tolerate anything; ocean degradation has been happening for decades. From that ideology, this work came up with a research study with focuse on the qualitative assessment of the quality of marine environments along the coastline of the Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania. In this paper field survey and observation, interviews, and questionnaires were employed to assess the situation. Results showed that, approximately 70% of the respondents visit the beaches frequently, showing their familiarity with the beach environments. However, 50% of the respondents have witnessed regular beach cleaning exercises, although they have commented that there have been inadequate cleaning efforts around the beaches. Additionally, all respondents commented that human activities in the study area are attributed to 90% of the environmental pollution. Also, from the methodology approached, this research work identified various anthropogenic activities contributing to marine environmental pollution on the coastline of the Dar es Salaam region, where the authors of this work propose measures such as clean-up campaigns, social media initiatives, educational programs, and the enforcement of laws and policies, aiming to minimize pollution and promote sustainable practices along the Dar es Salaam coast.