7.1 Conclusions: Review of the Decentralization Process and it's Impact on Environmental and Natural Resources Management in Tanzania

Lawyers' Environmental Action Team (LEAT)
leat@mediapost.co.tz

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REVIEW OF THE DECENTRALIZATION PROCESS AND IT'S IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN TANZANIA

Introduction

Abbreviations

Legislation

PART I: Conceptual Framework and Rationale for Decentralization

	1.1 Conceptual Framework
	1.2 Background to the Environmental Problems Facing in Tanzania
	1.3 Major Environmental Problems in Tanzania

PART II: Tanzania's Experience with Decentralization: a Chronology of Events

	2.1 Introduction
	2.2 Decentralization Process (1972-1982)
	2.3 Decentralization Process (1983-1998)
	2.4 Local Government Reforms and Environmental Management

PART III: The Policy Reforms and Environmental Management in Tanzania

	3.1 Introduction
	3.2 National Forestry Policy
	3.3 National Environmental Policy
	3.5 National Land Policy

PART IV: Environmental Legislation Management by Local Government Authorities in Tanzania

	4.1 Introduction
	4.2 An Overview of Local Government Authorities
	4.3 District Local Government Authorities
	4.4 Urban Local Government Authorities

PART V: Factors Hindering Effective Management of the Environment by Local Governement Authorities

	5.1 Introduction
	5.2 Lack of Property Rights Over Natural Resources
	5.3 Weak Formulation and Implementation of Bylaws
	5.4 Poor Enforcement of Environmental Laws
	5.5 Weak Penalties and Incentives

PART VI: Practical Implications to Decentralize Environmental Management Structures

	6.1 Existing Interfaces and Linkages between Local Government Structures
	6.2 Capacity of Local Governments In Environmental Management

PART VII: Conclusions and Recommendations

	7.1 Conclusions
	7.2 Recommendations

References

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PART VII: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1 Conclusions

The current process of decentralization in Tanzania has produced mixed results in terms of the degree in which power and responsibility for the management of the environment at the local level is shared. Decentralized institutions lack the capacity to manage the environment and conserve natural resources. This is furthered by the fact that little or no resources are available to the institutions entrusted with the duty of managing the environment.

Under Article 27 of the Constitution, the public is called upon to ensure that the natural resources of the country are managed properly as it states:

"(1) Every person is obliged to safeguard and protect the natural resources of the United Republic, state property and all property jointly owned by the people…

(2) All persons shall by the law be required to safeguard state and communal property, to combat all forms of misappropriation and wastage and to run the economy of the nation assiduously, with the attitude of people who are masters of the fate of their nation."

However, the role of local authorities under the current decentralization process for environmental management is not clearly stipulated. This is exacerbated by bureaucracy at the centre resulting in the inadequate release of allocated funds. This leads to frequent delays in the delivery of services or the completion of environmental projects. In addition, staff shortages and/or inadequately trained staff for dealing with environmental projects at the local level is a continual problem. As such, local government positions are often not respected not desired, and this leads to turnover, lack of morale and commitment to innovate or deal with local environmental issues creatively.

There is also inadequate policy and legal provisions, disintegrated authoritative, administrative and institutional mechanisms to handle environmental matters. In many cases, the authority is delegated to local organizations but they are not given the resources to perform their duties properly. As a result, local authorities are nothing more than bureaucratic instruments for the central government and do not generate alternative values, preferences or aspirations.

In conclusion, environmental management lacks harmony and continuity from the national to local levels. It is at the local level where systems of environmental management become complex and serious attention is needed for sustainable environmental development. Therefore, environmental management requires the integration of all institutions in the field and empowering local authorities for management and conservation of natural resources and the environment.

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