From past to present: The historical context of environmental and coastal management in Tanzania

Abstract

This article explores how the history of environmental management in Tanzania has created barriers to and bridges for sustainable environmental management at present. It contributes to an understanding of historical events that have shaped decision-making structures, management practices and social capital as they relate to the objectives of environmental management. What environmental management means for Tanzania has evolved significantly, but it is argued that certain key features, such as the combination of a strong deliberative tradition among peers, and a highly hierarchical decision-making structure between central and local governments, have been sustained over time. These findings were generated from interviews with Tanzanian environmental managers, as well as a survey of contextual barriers to and bridges for environmental management completed by coastal resource managers in early 2000.