Kibiti, Tanzania – A growing conflict between the Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999 and the Forest Act No. 14 of 2002 has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the alarming destruction of mangrove forests in the region. Reports indicate that by 2020, over 7,000 hectares of mangroves had been eliminated from the 53,255 hectares in the Kibiti Rufiji Delta, primarily due to agricultural expansion.
Despite extensive research showcasing the fundamental role of mangrove forests in combating climate change, the destruction of these crucial ecosystems continues unabated. A report from the United Nations University underscores that mangroves excel at sequestering carbon dioxide compared to other forest types, with over a quarter of the world’s mangrove forests lost in the past four decades.
The critical significance of mangroves in climate change mitigation and global warming reduction cannot be overstated. In a bid to address these concerns, the Tanzanian government is currently drafting a National Mangrove Management Strategy, anticipated to be launched in July 2025.
Key Mangrove Hotspots in Tanzania
The Rufiji River Delta is home to the largest mangrove forests in East Africa, followed closely by Kilwa District in the Lindi Region, which boasts 23,422 hectares of mangrove coverage. Frank Sima, a forest conservation officer with the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), highlighted the urgent need for integrated efforts to halt mangrove destruction. The declining coverage of the Rufiji Delta Mangrove Forest Reserve underscores the need for immediate government intervention.
Unsustainable farming practices, livestock grazing, and the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, emerge as principal factors driving the loss of mangroves. Stronger ocean waves resulting from these changes lead to coastal erosion, which kills mangroves in several islands within the Rufiji Delta.
Recent assessments have revealed that the conversion of mangroves into agricultural land, particularly rice fields, continues to escalate. The rice farming practices in the area involve the diversion of freshwater from the Rufiji River to cultivate crops over more than 10,000 hectares, exacerbating the deforestation crisis.
Agricultural Impact and Legal Conflicts
Sima pointed out that rice farming contributes significantly to the degradation of mangrove forests. The contradictory regulations of the Forest Act and the Village Land Act complicate matters, allowing villagers to clear lands for cultivation while conservation laws promote protection. Historical policies, including the 1971 Ujamaa Village initiative, have led to the establishment of villages within protected mangrove reserves, creating further legal conflicts.
This situation has ignited discontent among local communities regarding the TFS’s restoration efforts, with farmers reporting that restored lands interfere with their agricultural activities and livelihoods. Community members have expressed a lack of engagement in restoration processes, voicing concerns about government actions impacting their ability to cultivate land.
In response to growing concerns, the government is set to launch a National Mangrove Management Strategy on July 26, 2025 — coinciding with World Mangrove Day. This initiative aims to resolve the regulatory conflicts hampering conservation efforts. Furthermore, the National Forestry Implementation Plan (2021–2030) seeks to strengthen adherence to existing forestry policies, facilitating cooperation between national and local stakeholders to combat deforestation.
In addition to rice farming, unchecked salt farming practices contribute to mangrove loss. Those establishing salt farms often bypass necessary protocols, resulting in further environmental degradation.
Conservation Measures and Historical Context
The conservation of mangroves in Tanzania dates back to 1898, when these forests were protected under German colonial rule for timber trade. British authorities expanded conservation efforts in 1928, designating all mangroves along the Tanganyika coast as government reserves.
Today, significant mangrove forests can be found across various Tanzanian regions, including Mkinga and Pangani (Tanga), Kinondoni, Temeke, and Kigamboni (Dar es Salaam), as well as in the Pwani region of Bagamoyo, Mkuranga, Mafia, and Kibiti. In Lindi, the Kilwa District also features a notable expanse of mangroves, while Mtwara’s mangroves are concentrated around the Ruvuma River mouth.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, the need for effective conservation strategies becomes increasingly vital for the protection of these essential ecosystems.
