Support to Community Land Use Plans A case of Tarangire National Park Sekela Mwangota TANZANIA

Introduction  Tarangire river forms the main perennial source of water in the entire Tarangire ecosystem which encompasses approx 35,000 sq km.  Only 2,600sq km being Tarangire National Park.  Name of the park was derived from this river given a reputation as a dry season refuge for wildlife in the Maasai steppe (ecosystem).  Human activities outside the park, created threats to survival of the Tarangire river.

 Land use practices such as livestock grazing, agricultural farming, fishing and domestic water use destructed the catchments areas causing less flow of water to Tarangire river.  Not only to the park, but the community also depends on several water sources from this area.  Efforts has been made by the community to develop land use plans by seeking assistance from the government.  Since these incompatible land use practices form part of the entire Tarangire ecosystem, there is a need to support community land use plans efforts.

Purpose To secure a permanent water flow within Tarangire River as a lifeline to the park, by supporting community land use plans as well as meet local people’s needs and priorities

Barriers  Financial Constraints (donor dependency).  Control of the immigrants (nomadic pastoralists).  Bureaucratic process to seek approval of the plans from the Government entities.

Benefits  Protect the ecosystem from incompatible land uses and practices.  Involve local communities in the management of the entire ecosystem.  Acquiring of the land title deed from the government by the community.  Improved communities access to information that support their daily life.  Alternative source of income for local communities.  Establishment of coordinating team that comprised of members from local people, partners and government  Technical capacity for community increased  A stable community that support conservation efforts

Activities Indicators of Success Resources Needed To identify issues & problems of the communities around the catchments area Social surveys conducted in one month D.Council tech.staff, parks outreach staff, transport, funds, NGOs To conduct a 3 days workshop to discuss and agree on issues raised in the survey report Adoption of the workshop outcome Stationeries, transport, resource people including NGOs To develop a MOU btn stakeholders and the community MOU signed after six month Relevant parties Assist local communities develop bylaws to protect the area Approved bylaws by the District Council by the end of year one District legal officer, NR officer

Activities Indicators of Success Resources Needed Carry out surveys to create boundaries A map produced Funds, land surveyors, local people, Pas, NGOs, Hold meeting with politicians and convince them on the importance of the plan A land use plan document adopted CPW, District government officials

Positively Impacted Impacted Entity How Impacted PAs (NP,GR) Secured a healthy wildlife population Women Reduced workload Tourists Satisfaction and enjoyment Entire community -Sustainable use of resources -More benefits through SCIP

Negatively Impacted Impacted Entity How Impacted Politicians Personal interest (Possibility of loosing votes) Livestock Keepers Reduced level of grazing in catchments areas.