Social economic and environment impacts of rural- urban migration in Kilimanjaro Region

This study examined the impacts of rural-urban migration on socio-economic and environmental conditions in Moshi Rural District; Kilimanjaro region Different methods were used in collecting the data including literature survey, structured and in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observation. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Geographical Information System (G.I.S) was used in data analysis. The study found that rural-urban migration in Moshi rural district has been caused by the need to search for better livelihoods and, employment opportunities, land shortage and marriages. Rural-urban migration in Moshi Rural District has a number of socio-economic impacts to the areas of origin, like the supply of remittances and construction of infrastructure. The migrants also invest in construction of infrastructure and provision of social services at the community level. On the other hand, rural-urban migration has adverse effects on the people in the areas of origin such as lack of productive manpower, loneliness and fear, marriage instabilities and destruction of traditions and customs. On the environmental side, the study found that migrants have promoted the planting of plotlets which conserve the environment for they provide firewood which in turn reduce deforestation. The people coped with difficult life through tolerance, borrowing from other people, agricultural diversification and conducting petty trade activities. Finally it was concluded that both push and pull factors encourage rural-urban migration. The study recommends that the government should apply economic measures in order to reduce the rate of rural-urban migration. Voluntary resettlement should be encouraged, political and social aspects in the areas of origin should also be improved to avoid rural-urban migration.