The Role Of Traditional Institutions In Forest Resources Management In South Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro Region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Understanding the role traditions play in forest resources management from the insider's perspective is central in determining dynamics in forest management at the community level. It has been populated that engaging, rather than disengaging local communities in efforts towards natural resources management including forest resources is cardinal based on communities' historical interactions with their resources. Accordingly, the value of traditional practices in natural resources management is gaining recognition. However, previous work addressed the question of traditional institutions from the outsider's point of view (emic approach) hence lacking the deeper understanding from the insider's perspective, leading to a superficial understanding of the dynamics of forest resources management at community level. Thus the present research aimed at carrying out an in-depth study of the roles of traditional institutions (TIs) in forest resources management through the use of both emic and etic lenses. The specific objectives of this study, were to determine community’s perceived important forest and associated resources, to map traditional institutions that are geared towards the use and protection of forest resources, to determine the predictors of compliance with traditional institutions among community members, to test the efficacy of traditional institutions in conservation of forest resources and to examine socio-economic and environmental factors influencing the performance of TIs. The study was conducted in South Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro District, Tanzania, using mainly a qualitative approach. Data were collected through participant observation, interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The study findings revealed that the community has robust iii institutions which have stood the test of time and pressure from formal organizations, immigrants bringing in different cultures and the impact of modern technologies. The communities are keen to protect their traditions, beliefs and practices related to the spirit medium (Mwenye-Kolero) and, by implication, their traditional forests. MwenyeKolero, the fundamental traditional institution, is dependent on the traditional forest for its survival and retrospectively the traditional forest is to the traditions. The study noted a low rate of yearly forest cover loss in traditional forests suggesting that traditional institutions play an enhancement role in forest resource management. Community members have been observed to comply with the traditional institutions, which leads to a healthier forest. Residence in clan designated settlements and age of community members have been found to be important predictors in complying with traditional institutions. Members of the community who reside in areas designated for clans who are custodians of the traditions are likely to comply more than those residing elsewhere, even if they do not belong to the said clans. Similarly, older people tend to associate themselves more with traditions. For the forest dependent communities, healthier forest mirrors their wellbeing. Therefore institutional arrangements that are put in place to regulate use of resources, is considered as regulation mechanisms for their survival, thus people are more willing to comply with those institutions. Due to the role played by traditional institutions, this study recommends that natural resources/forest management actors (the government and non-government organizations) formulate (or advocate) policies and actions that addresses the stigma associated with traditions, while recognizing and promoting the traditions related to forest resources management.