Participatory Geographic Information System (Pgis) in Communal Land Resource Mapping: Case of River Tana Delta in Tana River County, Kenya.

Abstract

This study was based on Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) in communal land resource mapping in the River Tana Delta (RTD), Tana River County, Kenya. It explores facts about methods used in land mapping and their weaknesses. Inter communal conflicts which have existed for a long period of time has destabilized communal peace and sustainable development among communities in the developing countries. The PGIS as a tool enables local people make their maps and models helping them in solving conflicts over land resources. This study also sought to establish the relationship between the community livelihoods and the use of communal land resources. The main objectives of the study were to map communal land Resources using PGIS for the benefit of the communities, to examine how the major livelihoods of the communities have impacted on communal land resources, to analyze the utilization and potential of communal land resources and finally, to assess the production in three major economic activities (Livestock, crop and fish farming) in various communal land resources in the River Tana Delta. The research used descriptive research design with qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the facts and characteristics of the population in context. The study targeted 35 villages in 11 sub Locations within two wards, that is, Garsen South and Garsen Central wards. A sample of 60 respondents was randomly picked from identified villages with homogeneous economic activities. Data analysis was done by use of descriptive statistics; frequencies and percentages, means and standard deviation while the relationship between the community livelihoods and use of resources was done by correlation analysis. Earlier researches have shown that there has been mapping of the resources. However, unlike the earlier approaches used which did not cater for the use of the communal land resources, the PGIS places control over the mapped resources which gives solutions to existing conflicts. It also, provides trainings to the communities which help them gain knowledge on how to carry out their livelihoods in order to increase their productivity. Further studies have to be done on the implementation of the PGIS and the training so as to be extended to reach all communities. The study deduced that there was significant relationship between the community livelihood and the communal land resources.