1.2 Background to the Environmental Problems Facing in Tanzania

Tanzania covers an area of 945,000km2 and is one of Africa's most ecologically rich countries. The diverse climatic and physical conditions range from arid, semi-arid, and mountainous areas of afro-alpine vegetation, woodland and dry land savanna. About 40% of Tanzania is covered by forests and woodlands, which host various types of ecosystems. Tanzania's eastern coastline extends about 240km north to south along the Indian Ocean. Additionally, there are several lakes, rivers and swamps, which contain diverse types of aquatic life.

Presently, the best agricultural lands in the country are densely populated which in turn results into its degradation, making the soil unfit for cultivation. Deforestation, which is taking place at an alarming rate, has augmented the magnitude of desertification and adversely affected soil fertility, water catchment areas and water flow. Discharge of untreated effluent continues to pollute the ocean, lakes and rivers, thus making water unfit for human consumption and destroying the aquatic habitats.

The National Environmental Policy identifies six (6) major problems, which require urgent attention. These are: 1) loss of wildlife habitats and biodiversity; 2) deforestation; 3) land degradation; 4) deterioration of aquatic systems; 5) lack of accessible, good quality water; and 6) environmental pollution. Further, the Government of Tanzania (GOT) admits, in this policy, that the country needs to adopt environmentally sustainable natural resource management practices in order to ensure that long term sustainable economic growth is achieved (NEP: 1997). It can therefore be concluded that, the country's long-term economic growth is dependent among other factors, upon its coherent natural resource management.

Accordingly, the GOT has formulated a number of policies, enacted pieces of legislation- principal and subsidiary and established various institutions to facilitate and carry out its duty to protect and manage the country's environment. Local government authorities are to protect and manage the environment in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Institutions falling under the rubric of "local government authorities" include: village councils, district councils, township and municipal authorities. These were established through the process of decentralization. This process of decentralization has taken place in different phases.

Based on the reviews of available literature, pieces of legislation and interviews of local government officials and other stakeholders, this report will assess the status of the decentralized institutions.

Objectives of this report can be summarized into the following heads:

1. Provide a historical review of the decentralization process in Tanzania;
2. Review the main policies formulated by the government to protect and manage the country's environment;
3. Review legislation relating on the decentralization process and describe the local government institutions charged with the task of protecting and managing the environment in their areas of jurisdiction;
4. Identify gaps and overlaps in the policy, legislation, administration and/or institutional structures; and
5. Provide recommendations to curb these gaps and overlaps, including a recommendation for a process on how the local government institutions can efficiently manage their environment.