Browsing by Author "Kalisa, Diomedes Pastory"

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    Wetland resource utilization patterns in Songwe river basin: its implications on rural livelihoods.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2008) Kalisa, Diomedes Pastory
    Different wetland types play a signify livelihoods, cant role on both ecosystem and community However, sustainability of wetlands has been threatened due to overexploitation. of various resources and hence a need for understanding how different wetland resources are managed and utilized. The overall objective of this study was to examine the utilization of wetland resources and establish their significance on rural livelihoods in Songwe River Basin (SRB). The study was undertaken in Katumbasongwe and Mpunguti villages in SRB, Kyela District in Mbeya Region, Tanzania. Different methods were used, namely structured questionnaires, PRA techniques and remote sensing techniques to complement each other. Findings from the study have shown that seasonal wetlands in SRB play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of adjacent communities, they depends on wetland resources by 80%. Rice production, livestock keeping, fishing and harvesting of macrophytes for weaving are major livelihoods activities supporting about 90% households for food and incomes in SRB. The study revealed that agricultural land and settlement has increased at the expense of other land use types. The nature and extent of wetland resource utilization vary considerably from one socio-economic group to another depending on the flexibility and access to livelihood assets. The well-off and medium wealth households basically have more and better livelihood assets that make them efficient in utilization of wetland resources to accumulate more •incomes than LWG. Various impacts on wetland resource utilization include soil erosion, water pollution and biodiversity loss. In order to maintain the sustainability of wetland resources in supporting rural livelihoods, •it is important to have a proper agriculture plan that will increase production while conserving biodiversity. This can be achieved through agricultural intensification and developing irrigation schemes, providing of subsidies on agricultural inputs as well as credits to farmers. Such intervention strategies should take into consideration the socio-economic differentiation at household level.