The impact of population increases on land use conflicts in kilosa district, Tanzania

This study assessed the impact of population increase on the land use conflicts in Kilosa district, Morogoro region. The main theory used in this study is the Malthus theory on population growth. The theory postulates that an increase in population inevitably leads to diminishing returns until when population collapses. The study involved 123 respondents who were sampled through random sampling technique. Various data collection methods were employed in the study including structured interview, in-depth interview, focus group discussion and field observation. Land sat images and land use maps were also used to collect data on land uses at different periods. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis due to various techniques used in gathering information. Also data have been presented in different forms such as: texts, charts, graphs, tables and photographs. The findings revealed that, the population of Kilosa district has been growing at a very high rate. Population size has increased from 274,544 in 1978 to 488,191 in 2002, this gives an annual growth rate of 2.6% from 1988 to 2002 which makes 2010 population projection of 587,967. The main factors leading to population increase are natural increase and in-migration. Population increase is one of the major underlying causes of land use conflicts in the study area. Although not directly involved, the demand pressed by the growing number of people leads to competition over a limited amount of land. This is accelerated by encroachment on agricultural land, marginal land, grazing land and forest reserves which eventually mounted to conflicts over land use. The study recommends that, land use conflicts should be averted by adoption of participatory land use and other natural resources use planning in the study area. Also population growth can be controlled through family planning, cultural and legal measures. Legal measures include abolishing of early marriage by setting a higher marriage age of first marriage for all kinds of marriages.