Environmental Conservation as a Subterfuge for Land Grabbing in Tanzania: Analysis of the Loliondo and Ngorongoro Cases and their Impact on Indigenous Communities: ANÁLISIS DE LOS CASOS DE LOLIONDO Y NGORONGORO Y SU AFECTACIÓN A COMUNIDADES INDÍGENAS

Abstract

The United Republic of Tanzania has for decades adopted policies aimed at supposedly conserving the environment and its lush biodiversity. However, under this commitment, the rights of the indigenous communities, the majority of whom are Maasai, are being seriously undermined. Not only is their contribution to the conservation of the environment in the areas they have inhabited for hundreds of years not recognised, but they are being forced to leave their territories because they are seen as destructive to the natural environment they seek to protect. Thousands of people are being displaced from their ancestral settlements by government decision, violently, without their free, prior and informed consent, and without any regard for international law. Against this backdrop, this article analyses two paradigmatic cases in which eviction threats are constantly being reported: the Loliondo Game Controlled Area and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.  From the study of the facts and the violations of rights perpetrated in their course, an attempt will be made to conclude with a reflection on the environmental conservation model that is being pursued and the need to incorporate indigenous communities in all proposals.