A new report by the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has raised concerns over growing environmental challenges facing communities in Manyara Region, warning that climate change is increasing pressure on indigenous communities, natural resources and people defending the environment.
The report, Environment, Climate Change and Environmental Human Rights Defenders, shows that communities are experiencing worsening impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, land degradation, water shortages and conflicts over access to land and natural resources.
The findings are part of a regional project aimed at strengthening the participation of indigenous communities, civil society organisations and environmental rights defenders in conservation and climate change responses in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
The project, implemented between 2024 and 2027, is supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
The study, which involved 504 respondents in Kiteto and Hanang districts, found that climate change has significantly affected livelihoods, particularly among indigenous communities that depend heavily on natural resources.
According to the report, communities are facing reduced access to water, food and pasture, while competition over land and water resources has increased tensions between farmers, pastoralists and other groups.
The report also highlights growing risks faced by environmental rights defenders, who continue to encounter threats, harassment, legal challenges and intimidation while advocating for the protection of natural resources.
Speaking during the launch of the report in Babati on July 29, 2026, Manyara Regional Commissioner Queen Sendiga said the findings reflect challenges already affecting people’s daily lives.
She said climate change has placed additional pressure on indigenous communities, including the Hadzabe, whose traditional way of life depends on access to forests and natural resources.
“Several times I have visited the Hadzabe communities and they have raised concerns about climate change. However, these challenges are not affecting them alone; climate change impacts are being felt across the region,” Sendiga said.
She added that changing weather patterns have become noticeable even in urban areas such as Babati, where residents have experienced significant changes in climate conditions.
Presenting the report’s findings, LHRC Research Officer Fundikila Wazambi said awareness of civic and environmental rights remains limited among many community members.
“Only 46 percent of respondents said they had some understanding of their civic rights, while only 38 percent recognised the role played by environmental rights defenders,” he said.
Wazambi said the limited understanding of environmental rights has contributed to some defenders being wrongly perceived as obstacles to development, discouraging citizens from actively participating in environmental protection.
The report, however, noted that indigenous knowledge remains an important tool in addressing climate change challenges through sustainable land management, conservation of water sources and adaptation to drought.
Wazambi said traditional knowledge should be incorporated into national environmental policies and climate change programmes to strengthen community resilience.
LHRC Executive Director Advocate Dr Anna Henga said environmental rights defenders play a key role in protecting natural resources and ensuring accountability in environmental management.
She urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen legal protections for environmental defenders, expand public awareness on environmental rights and ensure communities participate in decisions affecting climate change responses.
“Environmental protection cannot be achieved without protecting those who work to defend it. Safe participation and recognition of environmental stakeholders are essential,” Dr Henga said.
LHRC Senior Programme Quality Manager Neema Sembeo said the report provides important evidence that can guide interventions to address environmental challenges and support communities affected by climate change.
Environmental defenders who participated in the research, including Paulina Lenea and Maingapa Payai from Partimbo, Kiteto District, said communities reporting environmental destruction often face difficulties when seeking action.
“We report cases of tree cutting and environmental destruction, but sometimes no action is taken and we end up being seen as opponents,” Paulina said.
Payai said indigenous communities are among the groups most affected by climate change due to increasing pressure on their land from farming activities, deforestation and charcoal production.
Dominick Dancon, Director of HALISO in Hanang District, called for stronger cooperation between government authorities, environmental defenders and other stakeholders to protect natural resources.
Andrea Ngobole, Project Officer at the Media Association for Indigenous Pastoralist Communities (MAIPAC), said protecting indigenous communities requires legal recognition of their remaining land, issuance of ownership documents and effective village land-use planning.
The LHRC report calls for coordinated action among government institutions, communities and environmental stakeholders to address climate change impacts while ensuring vulnerable communities and environmental defenders are protected.
