Land is a major economic factor and it is crucial for the development in our Country. Land administration has not any unique definition. The most commonly accepted definition of land administration is set out in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Land Administration Guidelines (1996) “Land administration is the processes of recording and disseminating information about ownership, value, and use of land when implementing land management policies.
The objectives of the paper are to assess the indigenous common property grazing land management; to show the effectiveness of village by laws in sustainable management of grazing lands; the options of certifying grazing land holdings in Borena area, to scrutinize the effect of population growth in natural resource management; and to recommend on the problems that are found in the Borena grazing land management. To achieve those objectives I have used secondary as well as primary qualitative data.
In general the findings of my paper are that Borena pastoralists have an effective traditional dispute settlement mechanisms as far as range land management is concerned. The other problem facing the Borena range land management system is construction of water points which has caused range land degradation. Bush encroachment is the other major treat to the Borena range land. The use of simple hand tools and chemicals are not solutions for the problem. The community had traditional knowledge to clear bush by using fire. The Borena communities are in need of certification. They are questioning the government why land certification is available only in highland areas. Compensation is not being paid for the Borena pastoralists when their grazing land is expropriated, even though the constitution granted them the right.
For the findings I got, I have developed certain recommendations. Strengthening the traditional system of conflict resolution, consultation with the Borena community before conducting any developed activity, piloting the use of fire for clearing bush encroachment, enactment of pastoral land administration management law, registration and certification of range land, are some of the recommendations.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Significance of the term paper
3. Objectives of the term paper
4. Methodology of the term paper
5. Scope of the term paper
6. Limitation of the term paper
7. General Overview of the study area
8. Indigenous systems of conflict resolution in Oromia
9. Indigenous range land management of Borena Community and its effectiveness
10. The impact of population growth in the grazing land management
11. Options that are available to give land holding certificate to the Borena community
12. Payment of compensation when communal landholdings are expropriated
13. Gender issues in Borena area
14. Problems in the grazing land management of Borena
15. Conclusion
16. Recommendations
17. List of Acronyms
18. REFERENCES
Objectives & Research Themes
This paper examines the traditional land management systems in the Borena region of Ethiopia, specifically focusing on the intersection of customary law, modern land administration, and the socio-economic challenges faced by pastoralist communities. It explores how population pressure, environmental factors, and formal government interventions impact these indigenous systems.
- Indigenous grazing land management and the effectiveness of traditional institutions.
- The role of the Dhedaa system in sustainable range resource management.
- Challenges posed by population growth, land alienation, and ranch establishment.
- Gender-specific roles in pastoral resource management and decision-making processes.
- Policy recommendations for communal land certification and conflict resolution.
Excerpt from the Book
9. Indigenous range land management of Borena Community and its effectiveness
Access to land and other natural resources is of course as important to pastoralists as to arable farmers. Pastoralists represent some 10-12% of Ethiopia’s population, and approximately 40% of the land area of Ethiopia is considered suitable for pastoral land use only. In strictly legal terms, all pastoral lands are owned by the state on behalf of the peoples of Ethiopia. The 1994 Constitution guarantees access to land for all Ethiopians who want to earn a living from farming, but leaves it to subsidiary legislation to specify the terms and conditions under which land is made available to users. Such subsidiary legislation has not yet been promulgated in the Oromiya Regional State which encompasses several pastoral societies, including Borana. The general provisions of the Constitution thus grants the state plenty of leeway to do as it pleases with pastoral lands. But now the Oromia regional state in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Natural resource, and LAND-USAID funded project, is preparing a regulation for the administration of pastoral lands. Committee is established to this effect and this term paper writer is a member in the drafting committee.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Defines land administration and management within the Ethiopian legal context and underscores the economic importance of rangelands.
2. Significance of the term paper: Explains the necessity of understanding customary management systems for future research and policy development.
3. Objectives of the term paper: Outlines the key goals, ranging from assessing indigenous systems to recommending solutions for management problems.
4. Methodology of the term paper: Describes the reliance on primary field experience and secondary data sources like legal documents and reports.
5. Scope of the term paper: Limits the discussion to the Borena area and its specific pastoral land management issues.
6. Limitation of the term paper: Notes the constraints regarding limited written material and the author's restricted time for research.
7. General Overview of the study area: Provides geographic, demographic, and climatic background of the Borena zone.
8. Indigenous systems of conflict resolution in Oromia: Discusses the traditional methods and the Gadaa system in resolving natural resource conflicts.
9. Indigenous range land management of Borena Community and its effectiveness: Analyzes the customary Dhedaa system and the impact of modern development on it.
10. The impact of population growth in the grazing land management: Investigates the link between rising populations, land shrinkage, and the emergence of private enclosures.
11. Options that are available to give land holding certificate to the Borena community: Discusses the debate and challenges surrounding the formal certification of communal pastoral land.
12. Payment of compensation when communal landholdings are expropriated: Argues for the legal necessity of providing compensation to pastoralists during land expropriation.
13. Gender issues in Borena area: Examines women's roles in pastoral management and their marginalization within current decision-making frameworks.
14. Problems in the grazing land management of Borena: Details the challenges such as bush encroachment, infrastructure decay, and formal interference.
15. Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings regarding the deterioration of customary systems and the need for legal recognition.
16. Recommendations: Proposes actionable steps for the government to integrate traditional knowledge into formal land policy.
17. List of Acronyms: Defines the abbreviations used in the study.
18. REFERENCES: Lists the sources and legal documents consulted for the research.
Keywords
Borena, Pastoralism, Land Administration, Gadaa System, Dhedaa, Rangeland Management, Communal Land, Ethiopia, Customary Law, Land Certification, Bush Encroachment, Population Growth, Conflict Resolution, Gender Roles, Natural Resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the governing of common property and natural resources within the Borena pastoral community in Ethiopia, evaluating how traditional management practices interface with modern government policies.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the customary land management system, conflict resolution mechanisms, the impact of population growth on grazing lands, land certification, and the challenges posed by ranch expansion.
What is the main objective of the research?
The core objective is to evaluate indigenous grazing land management practices and provide evidence-based recommendations to the government to improve pastoral land tenure security and sustainability.
Which scientific or analytical method is used?
The author employs a qualitative approach, combining his personal work experience, interviews with community leaders, and a review of existing legal documents, project reports, and academic literature.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the background of the study area, the Gadaa conflict resolution system, the effectiveness of the Dhedaa rangeland management model, gender dynamics, and the current challenges of land degradation and privatization.
Which keywords characterize this document?
Essential keywords include Borena, pastoralism, land administration, Gadaa system, Dhedaa, rangeland management, and communal land rights.
What role does the Gadaa system play in Borena?
The Gadaa system serves as the traditional socio-political framework that regulates natural resource access and conflict resolution through a structured system of age-grades and elder leadership.
How does population growth affect Borena grazing lands?
Population growth has led to the shrinking of grazing areas, the expansion of farmland into rangelands, and the emergence of "Kaloos" (private enclosures), which have become major sources of internal conflict.
Why does the author advocate for Dhedaa-based certification?
The author argues that the Dhedaa system is an existing, functional, and natural unit of management; therefore, it is the most appropriate entry point for registering communal land to avoid the breakdown of the traditional pastoral system.
What is the author's stance on compensation for pastoralists?
The author asserts that although the Ethiopian constitution grants rights to pastoralists, these rights are not effectively protected; thus, he demands that specific legislation be enacted to ensure pastoralists receive fair compensation when their land is expropriated.
- Quote paper
- Abebaw Belay (Author), 2016, Communal Land Management. Governing Commons and Natural Resources, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/350428
