Researchers propose ways of resolving disputes related to natural resources

Involving local communities fully in managing and benefiting from natural resources on their lands could be the key to resolving constant conflicts around natural resource use in Tanzania, experts said yesterday. The call was made during a public lecture hosted at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), as part of the 8th Voice of Social Sciences International Conference organised by the College of Social Sciences (CoSS). As such, scholars from the Aga Khan University (AKU) and UDSM are advocating for a change in approach—one that ensures communities are not only involved but are also beneficiaries of these resources. The Director of the Climate and Environmental Research Centre at AKU, Dr Emmanuel Sulle, pointed out that conflicts around resources have deep historical roots. “This goes back to colonial times when regulations limited local access to forests, wildlife and farming land," he said. “The legacy of these laws is still felt today, as policies often prioritise state control over local rights, leading to recurrent disputes.”