Contribution Of The Village Councils On Land Conflict Management: A Case Study Of Bunda District: Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of the village councils on land conflict management. Specifically this study focuses to identify the mechanisms in place for land allocation in Tanzania, to examine the mechanisms used by village councils on land conflict resolution and evaluate the efforts made by the village councils in resolving land conflicts. This is due to the fact that, despite the efforts done by the government on land conflicts management, there is still a problem of land conflicts in Tanzania. A case study of Bunda district was adopted, the population of the study consisted of Bunda district Officials and common citizens from. Simple random and purposive sampling methods were used in this study with the sample of 96 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaire, interview and observation methods. Data analysis was done by using Software Package for Statistical Sciences (SPSS). The findings show that village councils use different methods in solving land conflicts such as, influential people, land tribunals, normal courts, village community committees and village elders. Regardless of the mentioned efforts but still land conflicts persist. The findings show that land allocation, unfair decision making, community un involvement, unequal distribution of land, unawareness of land laws and regulations corruption and poor land use plan lead to land conflicts. The study recommends that training and seminars concerning land management and conflicts resolution are important to village leaders and community at large, Community participation has to be encouraged on land distribution, land laws and regulations have to be enforced accordingly and equally and land use plan have to be effectively implemented in every village.