The protection of biodiversity and land allocation under customary law

Abstract

Abstract provided by author

This paper examines the act of land allocation in Mbunza with regards to sustainable land use.The law provides for land allocation to be done by the chief (or the traditional authorities if the chief so determines). Such allocation must however be ratified by the communal land board. Land allocation and land management involve stakeholder participation, be it in the mere allocation act or in the formulation of policies and legislation. Issues relating to land and local governance of resources at large calls for co-operation from different line ministries, with traditional Authority being an important stakeholder in land management. At the customary law level public participation and cooperation is required. It is concluded that the protection of land is vital and that most of the necessary institutions for sustainability are now in place. The major challenges are to raise awareness of the importance of land sustenance through educating the public, especially the land recipients, of the part they have to play in land protection. The capacity of institutions to improve policies is also of importance as there is a need for strong policies in place on which reliance can be put for effective prevention of land degradation.