Impacts of climate change and other factors on Hadza hunter-foragers of northern Tanzania

This study was undertaken among the Hadza hunter-foragers of the Eyasi Basin in northern Tanzania. The study aimed at investigating as to what extent climate change has directly and/or indirectly impacted Hadza hunting-foraging strategies and their associated ecosystem. In addition, the study documented the impacts of population growth and settlement of other ethnic and cultural groups in Hadzaland. In the field, data were collected through individual and focus group interviews. Respondents aged 40 years and above were key informants. Furthermore, the study made use of secondary information available in the form of literature and records. The study shows that climate change is already happening in the Eyasi Basin, impacting the Hadza hunter-foragers and the natural resources. Field observations and data analysis indicate that a number of natural springs; small streams and waterholes have through time dried up due to uncertainty of rainfall and prolonged droughts. Water scarcity has impacted plant and animal diversities and distributions across the Eyasi Basin (less animal and plant resources). Accordingly, hunting and foraging strategies have adversely been impacted, reducing the abilities of Hadza hunter-foragers to procure wild food resources, such as honey, meat, fruits, berries and tubers. The hunting- foraging sector is increasingly coming under strain as a result of loss of traditional natural resources; land, water, and forestry due to the impacts of population growth and increasing immigration of non-Hadza hunter-foragers and their socio-economic activities into Hadzaland. Hadza are now depending on the revenue generated from cultural tourism, food and clothes support from government, non-government organisations, researchers and farmers. Moreover, Hadza beg off a lot from non- Hadza groups in the Eyasi Basin. For the sustainability of the hunting and foraging system, Hadza foragers should be assisted to secure their lost homeland, give them land rights and ensuring the limited use of the Hadza landscape by non-hunter- forager groups. In addition, interventions must be done to recognise the socio- economic rights of the Hadza and by clearly discussing Hadza present and future in the agenda of climate change in the national planning developments across the government sectors.