LOCAL AND INDIGEOUS KNOWLEDGE IN ADAPTING AND MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA. 20 – 22 MARCH 2013 IN MAURITIUS.

By Charles B. Lwabulala, (charleslwabulala@yahoo.co.uk )IRINGA CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (ICISO) IRINGA TANZANIA.

Climate change has adversely affected many sectors including agriculture, energy, water supply, forestry, livestock, and wildlife just to mention a few. On the other hand human, livestock and to a lesser extent wildlife populations have continued to increase further putting a lot of strain on the natural resources. About 80% of Tanzania population live in rural areas, depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. Food and cash crops production has dwindled; livestock are frequently lost due to drought as part of the changing climate. Inadequate rains affect hydropower generation leading to frequent power cuts. Additionally, water supply both to rural and urban areas is erratic. The net result of all these is low production and productivity. In October 2011 the United Republic of Tanzania launched the first draft of National Climate Change Strategy and Action see Website: www.vpo.go.tz Division of Environment, Vice Presidents Office). On 17th February 2012 Zonal CSOs representatives met to contribute to the National Climate Change Strategy Review and Action Plan. Urgent steps to solve these problems were taken and are still being taken. Looking at this from the indigenous knowledge perspective, the following were and are still being practiced.

A) ADAPTATION: In the past two to three decades the Masai people who are among the famous livestock keepers in Tanzania were found only in Arusha Region. Currently they are found in almost two thirds of Mainland Tanzania. 1.Their adaptation strategies involve migrating with their big herds of cattle seeking for grazing land and water! This migration has three forms: (a) permanent migration (b) temporary migration (c) splitting the herd into several units that are sent to different parts of the country, this in some cases has caused conflicts between farmers and livestock keepers some involving loss of human life. 2.Increasing the number of small animals (goats) relative to large ones (cattle) is also being adopted. Goats are good browsers that survive under extreme conditions. 3.Harvesting of rain water through construction of earth dams and dug out ponds is also another strategy. 4.During the rain seasons, cows are grazed far away from the home stead- reserving nearby areas ( NGITIRI in Kisukuma language) until the dry season.

5.The sick cows, the calves and the milking ones are grazed nearby so that they can give/ yield enough milk. 6.Healthy cattle are taken to drink water far away from the homesteads especially during the dry Season. The milking ones and the calves are given the harvested water, during the dry Season and graze nearby.7.When Cattle are lost because of adverse drought and in some cases diseases, the MORANIS (young Masai Boys/Men) go to towns/ cities to be employed as watchmen). They go in groups so that after a few months they contribute their Salaries to one of them who returns home and buy cattle to start rearing. This exercise goes on until the last one when he goes back home, he is given cows by those he contributed his money to. Crop Production Adaptation: In relation to crop production adaptation measures have included rain water harvesting, irrigation where water is available, and planting adapted crops e.g. sorghum, millet, sweet potatoes, cassava in areas where rains have become very unreliable.

B) MITIGATION: Mitigation has in most cases been indirect and this has involved tree planting; prevention of deforestation, burning of range lands and forests. Several bylaws were and are being introduced to safeguard rangelands and forests. Other steps taken are:i)When farmers clear land for cultivation they leave trees around their fields, they neither burn the cleared bushes and trees near the stumps nor do they dig them out so that they can regenerate.ii)Beekeeping to protect the forests. iii)Crop residues were used to add fertility to the soil although in some parts, they were eaten by termites but now have a lot of uses like: feeds for livestock, fuel for cooking, thatching/ craft materials etc. iv) A tradition of naming years is another strategy for addressing climate change. Since 1959 to date, the Roman Catholic Church (in the Western part of Lake Victoria – Kagera Region which publishes a local news paper in HAYA language named RUMULI (torch) has a tradition of naming years. The naming process considers a range of things reflecting on the past, prevailing and expected events, economic, cultural, political and climatic conditions.

The year 1959 was named “BIREMA OLENGILE” (better tried) while 2013 is called WEBANGE (Get Ready). 2013 has been named so in considering the uncertain Climate, one has to get ready to utilize any opportunity especially in agriculture when rain comes. 2012 was named “WECHONCHE” meaning prepare yourself, basing on the grim climate at that time, one needed to be prepared in his/her daily activities . Just to Site a few years. The translation caries more than the meaning of a single word or two.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KEEN ATTENTION.

1993 -2000 has been time enough to change the cape of mount Kilimanjaro

2006 Ihefu before the removal of cattle and 2012 after eight years nature has regenerated .

A primary school pupil weeding around a planted tree. Teach our children to love the environment and plant trees

Bee- keeping as an option for environmental protection and job creation for youth.

Trees on this hill have been cleared to help extract stones for aggregates- POVERTY!