Land use/cover changes and its implications to natural forest management: a case of Iyayi and Mayale villages in Njombe district, Tanzania

This study examined the Land Use/Cover Changes and its implications to natural forest management in Mayale and Iyayi villages, Njombe District over the last 30 years. The main objective of this study was to enhance our understanding of land use/cover changes and its implication to natural forest management in the study area. To achieve it different methods of data collection were employed including Focus Group Discussion, key informants interviews, household questionnaire interview, direct field observation, remote sensing and GIS techniques using satellite imageries of 1970 and 2005 for detection of temporal and spatial changes in land use/cover patterns. Findings from the study have shown that there are spatial and temporal changes in land use with conversion of one land use/cover changes to another as well as modification of land cover especially on open grasslands, woodlands, forest cover and human settlement. The study revealed that in Mayale village, land under natural forests cover has decreased by 6.72% between 1970 and 2005. Increased demand for timber, fuel wood and land for agriculture largely contributed to these changes. Changes projected in the next 20 years include decrease of land under closed woodlands by 5.03% and natural forests by 22.82% in Mayale village and increase in land under open woodland by 32.42% in Iyayi village if corrective measures are not taken. The main drivers for land use/cover changes included environmental factors, demographic dynamics, economic factors, technological changes and infrastructure development. The study recommended that, complies with appropriate strategies, policies and by-laws are required for sustainable management of the forest resources. Also introduction of non farm economic activities which are less dependent on natural resources as well as credit support to agricultural activities will reduce pressure on the forest resources and improve household income.