Perceptions of Pastoralists on the Role of Land Use Change on Resource Use Conflicts in Turkwel River Basin

Abstract

In several areas around the world, dry land pastoralism is being threatened as a result of increasing land-use change and related demand on water and land whose environmental management needs to be urgently rethought in the light of land use and land cover transition (LULCC) dynamics. This research aimed to investigate dramatic land cover and land use transition in the Turkwel River Basin in Northwestern Kenya over a 55-year time-frame over which the major development process encountered a shift from pastoralism to a livestock-based agro-pastoral regime. The primary aim of this research was to develop a better comprehension of the impacts on the environment, and livelihoods of the endless transformation towards accelerated agro-pastoral production processes in dry lands in Turkwel River Basin, with an emphasis on inland water basin areas. The research analyzed the impact of a transition in land-use on the environment and cultural livelihoods in the Turkwel River Basin from 1963 to 2018. Specifically, the study: (i) analyzed ways in which social-ecological systems of pastoralism in the study area were changing and their effects on pastoralism (ii) and (iii) analyzed the role of various development interventions in increasing the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis posed by land use conflict. An integrated approach combining LANDSAT images analysis, 84 household surveys using questionnaires and Participatory GIS (PGIS) were employed in the study. This approach allowed conceptualizing LULCC from both a scientific and an indigenous community perspective. Household surveys and FGDs were conducted in Kainuk, Sarmach and Amolem villages. Study results have shown that land use and social-ecological developments have placed growing pressure on the limited resources over the years and have had detrimental effects on the ecosystem due to the diminishing resources that cause many disputes. As opposed to 1963, deforestation and the degradation of natural habitats have increased to produce more space for development. Having found a p of 0.393, analysis of the correlation reveals a positive relationship between the shift in land use and environmental effects. Due to more land being turned to cropland, urban centers and industries, there were noticeable disputes along the boundaries of the two groups along the river, where the soil is suitable for agriculture and pastoralism. In conclusion, land use transition appears to have a negative effect on the Turkwel River Basin ecology, reinforcing the Eco-Violence Theory on Natural Resources and Conflict linked to homer-Dixon (1999) andand Gleditsch (2001) . The report recommends the need to incorporate environmental conservation policies into the development process in the Turkwel River Basin. Promoting efficient usage of natural resources is of vital significance in mitigating existing trends of use of land.