Assessment Of Land Use Changes Adjacent To Lake Babati Using Gis And Remote Sensing

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the Land use changes adjacent to Lake Babati using Geographic

information system and remote sensing. Specifically, the study assessed the negative

impacts associated with anthropogenic activities to the lake, land use changes

adjacent to the lake between years 2000 and 2011 and examined the strengths and

weaknesses of the ongoing management of the Lake. Villages studied were Babati

Majengo, Singe and Bagara Ziwani. Data were collected using Geographic

information system and remote sensing techniques, questionnaire survey, Key

informant information and physical field visit. Statistical Package for Social Sciences

version 20 was used to analyze data.

Results indicate that, negative impacts to the Lake due to anthropogenic activities

prevailing in the study area were mainly encroachment, overfishing, soil erosion and

siltation. Land use changes have occurred in all study villages for all zones such as

cultivation, grazing and residence. On average, cultivation and residence zones

increased by 3.1% and 4.9% respectively in the study area between 2000 and 2011

while grazing zone decreased by 5.3% in the study area during those years. The

major strengths of lake Babati management include forest conservation along the

riparian zone, law enforcement and provision of environmental education. The main

weaknesses undermining the ongoing conservation strategies of lake Babati were

poor community participation and lack of proper land use plan that should allocate

appropriate area for each land use category.

The study concludes that, the noted land use changes between 2000 and 2011are

mainly due to unsustainable human practices and has induced much pressure on the

lake and its resources. Therefore, appropriate measures including involvement of

relevant stakeholders’ particularly local communities in lake management should be

taken.