environmental degradation as a cause of conflict in - Steiner Graphics

Pastoralists Tenure SystemSeasonal stock movements in response to physical/biological and socio-economicfactors are often associated with contacts, frictions and conflicts. This, of course,has led to some internal balancing mechanisms, particularly, those related to theirsocial structure and tribal administration.It is well documented that through time, the tribal or native administration hasarticulated itself and crystallized as a powerful organ and institution that catersfor the interest, sustenance and stability of the nomadic system. In this system,pasturelands and water sources are communally owned and utilized. They are notappropriated by individuals and pasturelands are always defined as uncultivatedlands. Beyond the seasonal routes also, no land is reserved or allocated for grazing.However, such specific land allocation exists only for cultivation, which clearlyindicated the tenurial bias against the nomadic pastoralist. Within the Dar (homeland),tribal sub-divisions, clans and villages have preferential grazing right withintheir territories.One mechanism for maintaining this preferential grazing right is through thecontrol or access to water sources (this is only possible and feasible if they wereestablished by the community rather than by the government as in case of wateryards). Often, customary rules and native administration are the main mechanismand institution regulating the tribal use and right on the seasonal routes. However,these rights could be lost if such routes are abandoned or intercepted by sizeablecommunity or government project.Hashab (Gum Arabic)Traditionally, gum production from hashab tree constitutes an important source ofcash to the farmers. The integration of hashab plantations within the traditionalagricultural rotation system is an old practice in the area. This is done by cuttinghashab trees when their yield declines, and replacing them by crops for 3-4 years.In the meantime, gums from those trees becomes ready to be tapped when cropproductivity started to decline, signalling the decline of soil fertility. Trees continueto be able to be tapped for 8-13 years, and again farmers start cutting thesetrees to grow crops in their place. The hashab crop rotation goes in this sequence.However, this pattern of land use began to lose its importance in many areas.Conflicts often were associated with hashab and grazing damage caused by herderstrespassing.62