View/Open - Sokoine University of Agriculture

make sure the general population follows them. A final responsibility that the VLA(in accordance with the LGA) places on Village Council is the duty to solve conflictsover village land. This might include conflicts over grazing and agricultural land orboarders. However, the losing party can easily appeal the Councils´ decision to aconflict resolution body at a higher level, such as the Ward Tribunal Council (Ibid.).Another effort to establish sustainable land is though; the Land Use PlanningCommission Act No.6 of 2007. Initially established in 1984 it was repealed by the2007 Act after becoming aware of its limits and inefficiencies, particularly concerningthe coordination of various land use activities done between different stakeholdersuch as NGOs, sectoral organizations and the government. Thus, in another effort toregulate and organize the use of various land areas what this act requires is that landuses is to be organized in a planned fashion, and divided into zones and specific useclassifications such as agricultural land, settlement land, protected forest land andproductive forest land. Through the Act the National Land Use Planning Commission(NLUPC) was established with the overall responsibility of preparing regionalphysical land use plans, to formulate land use policies, set standards, norms andcriteria for sustainable use and for the maintenance of the quality of land (NLUPC2010). A Land Use Planning Authority should be present at district level as well, andthrough guidance and technical help from the Regional Secretariat put particularemphasis on relevant stakeholder involvement and ensure “co-ordination andsystematic physical development at the district level, ensure inter-sectoral coordination,and co-ordinate village land use plans” (NLUPC 2010, p.147.)Because, also villages are encouraged to make their own land use plans, and throughparticipatory land use planning the Village Council will act as the planning authorityand manager of the village land. NLUPC and District authorities‟ level are there toassist and help the villagers in establishing these plans. In addition, in 2009 a NationalLand Use Framework Plan 2009-2029 was published. Given how it affects a numberof different sectors and land uses it draws upon various policies and acts; the NationalLand Policy (1995), National Human Settlement Policy (2000), NationalEnvironmental Policy (1997), National Forest Policy (1998), National Wildlife Policy(1998), National Population Policy (2002), National Livestock Policy (2005) andNational Land Use Planning Act (2007) (NLUPC 2009).105