Degradation and rehabilitation of Agro-pastoral land - perspectives on environmental change in semi arid Tanzania
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Date
1983
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Fosbrooke
Abstract
This article analyzes the historical background to land degradation, examines the present severity of the problem and describes the efforts to ' control land deterioration in central Tanzania. The initiation of degrada¬tion of land and vegetation in semiarid Tanzania dates back at least 150 years. The transformation from wooded landscapes to open grass- and farmlands, in some instances even further to barren eroded tracts, is documented in accounts by early European travellers, researchers and colonial administrators. By combining historical information and data on present erosion rates a picture of the environmental change over time has emerged. Account is also given of the latest developments in the efforts to halt and reverse the ongoing degradation. This includes the drastic move by the Tanzanian Government to evict some 90000 head of domestic animals from a 1250 km2 badly eroded area, thereby transforming the farming system and the economy of a large community.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr Wilbert Chagula Library, (EAF FOS C46.D4)
Keywords
Environment, Tanzania
Citation
Carl, C. (1983) Degradation and rehabilitation of Agro-pastoral land - perspectives on environmental change in semi arid Tanzania