Management, Prospects and Challenges of Akagera Wetland Management in the north-western Tanzania

Abstract

Akagera is among the trans-boundary wetland ecosystems found in east Africa. Since the ecosystem serves the livelihoods of majority communities, it needs sustainable management to ensure its continued life support. This qualitative study serves to inform policy makers, socio-economic practitioners, development partners, and the communities at large on the prospects and challenges related to management of Akagera wetland. This establishment is particularly important in advancing on the existing body of knowledge. To execute such objective, the study identified some important resources found in the area, their socio-economic potentials, and challenges related to their management. Key informant interview and theme content analysis were the major methods for data collection and analysis, respectively. Here, the study exhibits that River Kagera, wildlife in national parks, wetlands, fertile soils and forests are among the most important resources found in the landscape. These resources serve as sources of water for domestic and agricultural production, energy, tourism, and meat, just to mention a few. Currently, the Tanzania National Parks which is a government institution manages the national parks and associated environmental resources in the landscape. Other resources such as water are managed by the respective sectoral ministries or in integration. However, some of the salient challenges associated with the management of Akagera wetland ecosystem include; financial constraint, poaching, forest deforestation, impacts of climate change, encroachment to wetland and national parks, cultural barriers, political instability, and unharmonized wildlife polices among the east African countries. Therefore, it is important to impose harmonized policies related to the management of this wetland ecosystem among the benefiting countries, strengthen joint patrols, and raise awareness among the people on the management of all trans-boundary resources in east African region. This study proposes further researches in the landscape especially on the political and social cultural barriers related to the management.