Research Repository :: Browsing by Author "Sosovele, Hussein"

Browsing by Author "Sosovele, Hussein"

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The Administration of the EIA Process in Tanzania: Lessons for Practice
(2002) Sosovele, Hussein
This article looks at the administration of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in Tanzania. It focuses on the actual administration of EIA process on the ground. Although EIA is being accepted, clear guidelines on who and how to manage it are lacking, making the process appear haphazard. The article argues that the current administration of the EIA process reflects the dilemma the government is facing in choosing between sustainable development and the need to attain fast economic growth. In grappling with this dilemma, the government’s commitment to EIA tends to be limited. This is seen in terms of the extent to which EIA is used to inform decisions about proposed development as well as the slow process to enact Environmental Legislation. This state of affairs has placed the EIA process in an unclear and uncertain situation. The cost of this uncertainty is reflected in the damage to the social and environmental sectors in terms of increased environmental degradation and social problems. The article prescribes urgent concerted efforts to formalize the application of EIA. Despite its critique, the article concludes with few specific examples of initiatives that support EIA in Tanzania.
The Challenges of Animal Traction in Tanzania
(1999) Sosovele, Hussein
After almost a century of activities related to the development and use of animal traction in Tanzania, many farmers are no closer to adopting the technology. What is more disturbing is the realisation that neither the farmers nor the government are near to finding lasting solutions to many pressing problems confronting the use of this technology in Tanzania. This paper identifies the major challenges facing the technology of animal traction, including constant wavering in government policies and support towards agriculture in general and animal traction in particular, low adoption of the technology and institutional matters. It is argued that most of the challenges facing animal traction in Tanzania are a result of national policies that have given too little attention to the needs of smallholder farmers. Current government practices on economic recovery programmes reflect a shift of priorities away from the agricultural sector. The paper concludes that the challenges facing animal traction in Tanzania can be overcome if agriculture is regarded as the leading sector in the national economy and enough support is provided for its development.
Constraints to the Adoption of Animal-Powered Weeding Technology in Tanzania
(2000) Sosovele, Hussein
The adoption of animal traction technology in Tanzania is still low, and is increasing only very slowly. Very few animal-drawn weeders are in use. This paper examines various constraints that affect the adoption of animal-drawn weeders: farmers’ financial limitations, socio-cultural constraints, small farm sizes, institutional inadequacies and farming practices. Alleviating such bottlenecks might might increase farmers’ adoption of animal-powered weeding technology
Donkey Traction in Tanzania: Some Critical Issues
(1996) Sosovele, Hussein
Donkeys are associated with poor people and their status in areas where they are used is often low. However, donkeys are disease resistant, have survived where other animals could have perished and are regarded as docile and friendly. They are suitable for women to use. Oxen and horses demand much attention from their owners. Oxen are edible, susceptible to diseases, and have social value as symbols of wealth and influence. The monetary value of oxen appreciates over time. Due to lack of appropriate harnesses, plows and carts, institutional weaknesses and financial limitations, our ability to use donkeys efficiently is limited. Apparent ‘myths’ in donkey traction are a function of our inability to understand donkeys and their potential. False perceptions about donkeys can be removed through interventions such as awareness campaigns, appropriate technological, financial, extension and training
Governance Challenges in Tanzania’s Environmental Impact Assessment Practice
(2011) Sosovele, Hussein
Tanzania has had an interesting history of Environmental Impact Assessments (EA). Few assessments were conducted prior to 2004 leading to a process of voluntary compliance without explicit laws to enforce the process. Even without a comprehensive legal and institutional framework, those EIAs generated useful policy decisions. Fundamental changes came after 2004 when Tanzania adopted the first ever-comprehensive legal and institutional framework – that is, the Environmental Management Act Cap 191. This Act promotes Environmental Assessment, gives it the legal support and defines the institutional set up for the management of the environment. However, Tanzania still grapples with EIA ineffectiveness in guiding development decisions and environmental management arising from various projects. Numerous studies on the effectiveness of EIA have explored governance issues such as stakeholder participation, legislating EIA process, capacity building and institutional arrangement. Few studies have looked at governance issues such as accountability of responsible institutions in enforcing environmental assessments and procedures. This article discusses accountability challenges in enforcing laws for EIA by exploring the experiences of selected development decisions in the post 2004 in Tanzania. The article argues that, inadequate or lack of accountability in enforcing the Environmental Management Act is a governance failure, that renders the EIA process ineffective. The article calls for a re-assessment of the theoretical arguments used to understand effectiveness to include sociological and psychological factors, that influences accountability actions by environmental agencies and planners.
Integrating Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) into the District Planning in Tanzania: Methodological Considerations for Practice
(2006) Sosovele, Hussein
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an important tool for enabling decision-makers makes informed strategic decisions about the environmental implications of proposed policies, programmes and plans. However, in Tanzania SEA is not as widely used as other such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Tanzania has evolved various approaches for planning processes with very few attempts to integrate SEA in the planning process partly due to inadequate knowledge of SEA and the role that it can play in decision-making. This article discusses a methodological approach for integrating SEA into the district planning process in Tanzania. In this article it is argued that integrating SEA in the District planning would significantly improve the planning process and contribute to sustainable development. Capacity building is a key component if SEA is to make positive contributions to planning and decision making processes.
Policy Challenges Related to Biofuel Development in Tanzania
(Institute of African Affairs at GIGA, 2010) Sosovele, Hussein
Biofuels have recently emerged as a major issue in energy policy, agricultural development and natural resource management. The growing demand for biofuels is being driven by high oil prices, energy security concerns and global climate change. In Tanzania there is growing interest on the part of foreign private investors in establishing biofuel projects, although globally there are concerns related to biofuel investments. Tanzania has approved a number of such projects, but the biofuel subsector faces several policy challenges that could clearly hamper its development. These include the lack of a holistic and comprehensive energy policy that addresses the broad spectrum of energy options and issues, and weak or absent institutional and legal frameworks. This article highlights some key policy issues critical to the development of biofuels and argues that if these challenges are not addressed at the national policy level, biofuel development may not result in the expected benefits to Tanzania and the majority of its
Problems and Opportunities for Agricultural Development in Kisarawe District, Tanzania
(1988) Shishira, E. K.; Shechambo, Fanuel C.; Sosovele, Hussein
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
(2007-10) Zahabu, Eliakimu; Skutsch, Margaret M.; Malimbwi, Rogers E.; Sosovele, Hussein
Until now forest carbon trading has been possible only through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Con-vention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). But CDM is limitedto afforestation and reforestation projects. The option for reducing rates of carbon emissions by improved forestmanagement and by avoided deforestation is not eligible,despite the fact that the Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-mate Change (IPCC) estimates that 20–25% of currentannual carbon emissions result from loss of tropical forest(IPCC, 2007). The contribution of tropical deforestation to global carbon emissions has prompted re-negotiation of climate change policy to include Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). This would allow tropical forest nations to claim for compensation, if they reduce national rates of deforestation and degradation through management of natural forests.
The Root Causes of the Declining Levels of Water in the Great Ruaha River, Tanzania
(2007) Sosovele, Hussein
Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a critical socio-economic and political problem all over the world. Water for agriculture, domestic use, livestock keeping, industries, transportation and energy supply is becoming scarce, and the situation is worsening. Fighting over access to water is increasing in Tanzania. Although frequency of declining levels of water in the Great Ruaha River is increasing, our understanding of the factors and the dynamics that drive this scarcity is inadequate. This article notes that factors that cause declining levels of water are stronger than the forces that act to prevent it. Some factors take place at the local, national and international levels; and the interactions among them. It is important to understand the root causes and take participatory and holistic approaches in addressing water scarcity in the Great Ruaha River and surrounding areas.
Social and Environmental Impact of Irrigation Farming in Tanzania: Selected Cases
(Dar es Salaam University Press (DUP), 2005) Boesen, Jannik; Sosovele, Hussein; Maganga, Faustin H.
Besides the Introduction: the multiple land use of irrigation by Jannik Boesen this book contains seven separate case studies of types of irrigation in Tanzania. The essays are: Government policies on irrigation in Tanzania: implementation successes and challenges by Mnzava, M.N. and Kweka, R.A.; The implications of recent institutional and policy changes for irrigation development in Tanzania by Hussein Sosovele and Faustin P. Maganga; Crop-livestock integration in irrigated farming systems and conflict reduction: the case of Usangu Basin, Mbarali District, Tanzania by Agnes G. Mwakaje and Cosmas H. Sokoni; Gender and water use management along Tabora River, Serengeti District, Tanzania by Donald Anthony; Enhancing agricultural crop production through sustainable irrigation farming: 'vinyungu' farming system in Southern Highlands, Tanzania by Majule A.E. and Mwalyosi, R.B.B.; Wetlands management in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania by Kangalawe, R.Y.M. and Liwenga, E.T.; and The root causes analysis of water problems in the Great Ruaha River and its implications on irrigation farming by Hussein Sosovele. [ASC Leiden abstract]
Socio-Economic Dimensions of Biodiversity Loss in Tanzania
(Dar es Salaam University Press, 2001, 2001) Kulindwa, Kassim; Sosovele, Hussein; Mgaya, Yunus D.
Socio-economic Dimensions of Biodiversity Loss in Tanzania
(Dar es Salaam University Press (DUP), 2001) Kulindwa, Kassim; Sosovele, Hussein; Mgaya, Yunus D.
Will Ngorongoro Conservation Area Remain a World Heritage Site Amidst Increasing Human Footprint?
(Academic Journals, 2015) Masao, Catherine A.; Makoba, Revocatus; Sosovele, Hussein
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a World’s Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve in Tanzania. It is the only protected area with multiple land use where both wildlife conservation and limited human activities are allowed. Despite such an important status, the area is experiencing ecosystem changes resulting from increasing human population, diversified livelihoods and tourism activities. This study was conducted to determine the trends and challenges of livelihood activities of the local Maasai and tourism in NCA and their implications on the ecology of the area. Household questionnaire interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, direct field observations and secondary data reviews were applied. A total of 145 people from Enduleni, Oloirobi villages and the NCA Authority (NCAA) were involved in the study. To complement the socio-economic data, landsat MSS satellite images of 1990, 2000 and 2013 blocks were analysed to assess land use/cover changes occurring in the study area. Results indicate rapid human population growth rate of 5.6% and an increment of 1.1% of livestock population per annum. It is also noted that about 46% of cropland has increased in the studied villages. Furthermore, the Maasai who were historically pastoralists are changing to agro-pastoralists. The grasslands and other natural forests showed a decreasing trend. The decreasing trends in wildlife are being associated with the changing vegetation characteristics among other factors. Despite the ecological changes, the Maasai have remained uncomfortable with the restrictions over land use so far implemented by the NCAA. In addition, there has been an increasing number of tourists and facility development within the NCA. There were also differing views between the Maasai and NCAA, which might put the NCA ecosystem under serious threats questioning its future. Whether or not the NCA will remain a world heritage site depends on management measures taken, otherwise the disappearance of the NCA ecosystem is imminent.

Browsing by Author "Sosovele, Hussein"

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