World Environment Day 2024: Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience in Tanzania

World Environment Day 2024: Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience in Tanzania

June 5, 2024, the world celebrates the World Environment Day 2024 for the 51^st time. The event is celebrated while Tanzania continues to face critical environmental challenges. The country has reported an alarming rate of deforestation, with the loss of 229,000 hectares of natural forest in 2023 alone. This trend reflects a broader pattern of land degradation that has persisted for decades.

The incidence and rate of land degradation since independence, Tanzania has experienced significant land degradation, affecting over 50% of the country's land area, with 16% classified as highly degraded. The causes of this degradation are multifaceted, including unsustainable agricultural practices, overgrazing, and the demand for land. To address environmental challenges in Tanzania, restoration is necessary.

Can Restoration Work? Yes, restoration can work. Initiatives like the Restoration Initiative and the commitment to the AFR100 to restore 5.2 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 demonstrate Tanzania's potential to reverse land degradation²⁴. But these are high level interventions. NGOs in Tanzania are also championing land restoration through the development of inclusive and conservation-related Land Use Plans that among many set areas for forests.

Initiatives to Restore Lands Tanzania has embarked on several initiatives, such as the TRI United Republic of Tanzania project, which aims to bring 110,000 hectares under restoration. The government has also committed to a national tree-planting program, requiring every district to plant 150 million trees annually. 

Impact of Restoration on Climate Change Restoration efforts can reduce the impact of climate change by improving land use planning, conserving forested watersheds, and preserving biodiversity, which is key to adaptation and community resilience. 

Tree Planting vs. Land Restoration While tree planting is a vital component of land restoration, it is not the only method. Land restoration encompasses a broader range of practices, including soil amendments, water harvesting techniques, and sustainable forestry.

Land Restoration Practices Land restoration practices in Tanzania include increasing the use of soil amendments, developing low-cost soil cover, water harvesting techniques, and strengthening local organization and extension services.

Local Community Needs Local communities need support in implementing sustainable land management practices, access to resources for restoration activities, and education on the benefits of land restoration.

Business Involvement Businesses can play a role by investing in sustainable practices, supporting local restoration projects, and adhering to environmentally friendly operations.

Stakeholders of Land Restoration Key stakeholders in Tanzania's land restoration include government agencies like the Tanzania Forest Services Agency, NGOs such as WWF, intergovernmental organizations like IUCN, and local communities and businesses. 

The Role of World Environment Day World Environment Day should serve as a catalyst for increased awareness, action, and collaboration among all stakeholders to address the urgent need for land restoration, desertification control, and drought resilience in Tanzania. It is a day to reaffirm commitments, evaluate progress, and mobilize resources to ensure the sustainability of Tanzania's rich natural heritage for future generations.