Environmental Injustice in relation to nature tourism

While many people perceive the term eco-tourism to mean a more friendly, most are not aware of the negative impacts that result from this type of tourism.

"Nature tourism" is based on the use of natural resources in an undeveloped state.

With this separation of people and nature, reserves areas in Tanzania were created without any consideration for the local communities.

Tourism industry has grown to be a $439 billion a year business. Tourism is one of the top five export categories in Tanzania. It is no surprise, then, Tanzania government wants to take advantage of this incredible economic opportunity. In competition with many other beautiful places, Tanzania has to make their lands look the most attractive to the tourism community, and, unfortunately, the price is paid by the local people.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION THROUGH PARTICIPATORY REFORESTATION IN KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN

Effects of climate change act as a threat mainly to the population that still depends on subsistence agriculture for their daily livelihood. The past trend on droughts, floods and recent poor harvest in recent years which resulted into hunger in most parts of the country, and disappearance of the ice cap at Mt. Kilimanjaro is now more than ever imminent evidence of climate change due to evident temperature increases caused by global warming.

Glacier retreat and change of vegetation on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro have made the latter one of the climate change hotspots in Tanzania. In the past dense forests around the mountain used to cause water flows in a number of rivers that originate from the mountain eventually forming the large Pangani River Basin comprising Nyumba ya Mungu, Hale and Pangani Hydropower Stations.

Impacts of climate change in Tanzania

The adverse impacts of climate change are already having their toll in the livelihoods of people and in the sectors of the economy in the country. Frequent and severe droughts in many parts of the country are being felt with their associated consequences on food production and water scarcity among others. The recent severe droughts which hit most parts of the country leading to severe food shortages, food insecurity, water scarcity, hunger and acute shortage of power signify the vulnerability of the country to impacts of climate change.

THE GOVERMENT OF TANZANIA AGAINST ITS CITIZEN

I remember taking an elective in political science and we had to deal with government—its definition, organs, functions, and duties, etc. I remember reading about Abraham Lincoln and falling in love with his Gettysburg’s address. I love especially the part that says “...It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” I am sure some of you may be wondering what Abe Lincoln’s speech has to do with Tanzania and the subject matter. Well, I have been reflecting on Tanzania and her government to wit: the social contract between the government and the governed; the duties and obligations each owe to the other in order to maintain this relationship and not to violate the contract. Tanzania’s government reminds me of Woodrow Wilson’s declaration in his book, “The State,” that “there are governments and governments.’ On the functions of government, Woodrow Wilson stated:

TOBACCO CULTIVATION SPEEDS- UP DEFORESTATION IN KIWERE.

The cultivation of tobacco causes deforestation due to the fact that it demand huge amount of fire wood for dying up. Therefore a large area of tree have been cleared hence it resulted to environmental degradation.

Therefore there is the need for the government to find another alternative energy such as coal energy so as to reduce the rate of deforestation which destructive to the environment.Also the farmers should be mobilized to construct the improved dying stove (Majiko sanifu) so as to reduce the amount of firewood to be used.

MINING COMPANIES: REVENUE FIGURES, WHOM TO BELIEVE

Tanzania Economy has been substantially liberalized over the past 20 years following the beginning of the World Bank Supported adjustment programme in 1986.In particular Tanzania has reformed its investment and tax laws to attract foreign direct investment and a range of incentives is now offered to all foreign investors[1]. Following the reforms a number of foreign companies took the opportunity and invest in the Mining sector.

The giant foreign mining companies dominating the sector include the Canadian company, Barrick Gold Corporation operates three mines in Bulyanhulu, North Mara and Tulawaka and is developing a forth at Buzwagi. And; the South Africa AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) which operates the Geita mine, known to be the country largest gold deposit. Gold and diamond production has been the mainstay of mining production for Tanzania however, following trade liberalization in the 1990s; the mining industry has been growing rapidly. In the late 1998, the mining of gold has been the fastest growing sector of the economy after Tourism.

THE FOREST RESOURCES IN TANZANIA

Forest resources are the main natural endowment of Tanzania. However, it is estimated that the country's forest area has declined from 44,300,000 ha or 50% of total land area in 1938 to 33, 096,000 ha or 43% of total land area in 1987. Currently forests are estimated to cover 33.5 million ha.

OUR BEACHES ARE SUFFERING DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION.

Despite most of the Tanzanian coast to habour attractive beaches for recreation and for tourism but still to eyes of some people these beaches they are still useless. It have been a tendency to some of the people to pollute our beaches by any kind of the gabbages and wastes which are main killer and destroyer to our beaches . In this case most of our beaches knower days are no longer possessing their natural smell and Beauty.

The truth and the Parable

Truth, naked and cold, was being turned away from every door in the village. Her nakedness frightened people. When Parable found her, she was sitting in a corner, alone, frozen and hungry.
Parable felt sorry for Truth, she invited her home. There she dressed Truth in a story, warmed her and sent her out again.
Clothed in a story, Truth again knocked the doors in the village. This time she was welcomed and invited in. The villagers asked her to eat at their tables and warm at their fireside. And they started listening to her.