By The Responded Reporter
The indigenous, Hadzabe community,
residing in Karatu District, Arusha region, is facing a dire situation as their
traditional lands are being encroached upon by farmers and pastoralists.
This invasion is leading to severe
food shortages and other critical needs for the community.
The Hadzabe, a community that survives
by hunting wild animals, and gathering roots, fruits, and honey, now has only
about 500 people remaining in the district. In a recent discussion with
journalists visiting their area to learn about their traditional environmental
conservation knowledge, community leaders expressed an urgent need for
assistance.
This initiative is part of a project
implemented by the Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Community (MAIPAC), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP’s
Small Grants Programme and the Office of the Vice President - Environment.
Ng’washambi Kusombi, a leader of the Hadzabe
community in Murusi camp, Qang’dend village, Baray ward, Karatu, highlighted
that despite their traditional knowledge enabling them to preserve forests and
water sources, their livelihood is now at risk.
Kusombi stated that farmers and pastoralists
have invaded their lands, cultivating crops, rearing livestock, cutting down
trees, and producing charcoal, which has greatly affected their ability to find
food and other necessities.
"Previously, we could hunt wild
animals nearby, but now we have to travel great distances. The fruits and roots
we relied on have decreased because trees are being cut down for
charcoal," Kusombi said.
He also mentioned that even honey, a
staple food for the Wahadzabe, is becoming scarce as the trees they use for
beekeeping are being taken over by the invaders.
"There are baobab trees that we
used for beekeeping, but now we are told they are no longer ours, and we are
forced to share the honey with those who claim ownership," Kusombi added.
He also revealed that some village leaders
have been secretly selling their land, despite the district council
acknowledging that the land belongs to the Wahadzabe, though they have not been
given formal ownership documents.
Nyambulu Njegela, another community
member, noted that wildlife has fled further away because of the environmental
degradation caused by the invaders.
"We now travel long distances to
hunt. We usually hunt one large animal and do not hunt again until the meat is
finished, but now there are no animals nearby," Njegela said.
He emphasized that if the current situation is
not controlled, their lives will be in jeopardy as even the caves they used to
live in have been invaded by other communities.
Juliana Yohana pointed out the
additional burden on women, who now have to walk long distances to fetch water,
gather roots for food, and collect medicinal plants.
"We urgently need help to prevent
further invasion of our land. We are facing severe hardships, our children go
all day without water, there are no schools, and health facilities are very far
away," Yohana pleaded.
The Executive Director of MAIPAC Mr. Mussa Juma mentioned that through their project, they are gathering traditional knowledge, which will be compiled into a book.
They have discovered that the Wahadzabe
community is at risk of extinction, and the government must intervene.
"This community has preserved the
environment; they do not cut trees, farm, or produce charcoal. However, there
are numerous invaders farming on their land, cutting trees for charcoal, and
have been allocated land by village leaders," he said.
Through the GEF/UNDP project, they aim
to disseminate this knowledge to the media to help communities preserve the
environment, forests, and water sources.
Donata Kimaro, Head of the Natural
Resources and Environmental Conservation Unit in Karatu District Council,
stated that the council has begun addressing the land invasions affecting the
Wahadzabe.
Kimaro mentioned that the council had already
developed a land-use plan for the Wahadzabe community areas, but there are
still challenges in understanding among some village leaders and residents.
Reginald Hallu, Karatu District Forest
Officer, reported that the council has started arresting individuals invading
Wahadzabe land, constructing buildings, farming, and producing charcoal
illegally.
"We already have several cases involving
people who invaded Wahadzabe land and started producing charcoal. Some have
paid fines and left. We warn that it is forbidden to invade land designated for
the Wahadzabe community," Hallu stated.
The Wahadzabe community continues to face significant challenges as their land and resources are encroached upon, threatening their traditional way of life and survival. Immediate intervention is needed to protect this Indigenous community and its unique heritage.
