Mlimbiko as an indigenous sustainable woodland resource management system in Tanzania
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Date
1999
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A survey on woodland resource indigenous management system was carried out in
lowland areas of Same District, Tanzania. Interest in this study was promoted by the
recognition that although there is an increasing number of studies on indigenous silvo-
pastoral agroforestry systems, no studies have concentrated on the role of mlimbiko in
the development of the indigenous silvo-pastoral agroforestry systems.
The purpose of this study was to assess the mlimbiko as a traditional knowledge that has
maintained sustainable woodland resource management. Data and information for the
study were collected through interviews of 90 households in six sub-villages.
The study results reveal that the study area had two agro-ecological zones: the semi arid
lowlands and the relatively high rainfall highlands. There are two main activities
identified in the area which are livestock keeping in the semi-arid lowlands and farming
in the humid highlands. In order to cope with environmental hostility the local people
have developed survival strategies the key ones being the mlimbiko and the malambo.
The major problems faced by local people were low rainfall, shortage of forest
resources, fodder, and water. The mlimbiko seeks to conserve and maximise fodder
supply, particularly during the dry season. The malambo is a water conservation
technique. These strategies are based on well known strict rules. The mlimbiko and the malambo embody a wealth of indigenous knowledge, which has been passed from
generation to generation together with woodland and water resources.
The mlimbiko and the malambo, however, are facing a lot of challenges such as the
increased human and livestock population, decreasing site productivity and uncertainty
in land tenure.
The conclusion drawn from this study was that the successful use of mlimbiko system in
natural resource management will depend on clearly defined ownership pattern,
beneficiaries, the specific period of time of conserving the area, and the intended end
use of the resource.
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Mlimbiko practise system, Productivity woodland resources, Sustainability woodland resources, Woodland resource management system, Tanzania