Conflicts and their management in the use of Miombo woodlands in selected areas of Tanzania

Miombo woodlands are increasingly becoming major centres of conflicts due to a variety of causes such as growing populations of both humans and livestock. Research in the area of conflicts in the use of miombo woodlands is more of a recent phenomenon in the wake of these new challenges on natural resource use. This paper is based on research findings from three sites in Tanzania aimed at exploring the nature of conflicts related to the use of miombo woodlands and how these conflicts are managed or resolved. The findings show that the key players in these conflicts are at three levels involving the regulators, the commercial sector, and the local communities. Conflicts involving these parties are complex within and between these parties. Also these conflicts generally differ from site to site due to differences in the factors that generate these conflicts. Factors such as population pressure, economic activities, institutional arrangements, a changing value system and policies, poverty and general awareness on the part of both the local communities and outsiders greatly influence their nature and intensity. Although there are several avenues existing towards conflict management, our experiences from the three sites reveal that only two mechanisms are used across sites. The paper concludes by suggesting areas for further research and the need to have more dynamic policies that accommodate changing situations. Keywords : Conflicts management - local communities - Miombo woodlands Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation Vol. 77 2008: pp. 9-24