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GIS and natural resource management : prospect and problems
Kanyati Communal Lands, Zimbabwe
1. Introduction
Natural resources play a critical role in the welfare of developing countries. With growing populations
and increasing pressures on natural resources, efforts of people and institutions to improve the
efficiency and sustainability of resource use are increasing. For such efforts to be effective, knowledge
and information on the resources and their distribution in space and time are essential (Young, 1998;
FAO and UNEP, 1999). However, experiences in many developing countries indicate that, even when
information is available, this information is often not used to support decisions on their use and
management. Reasons for the under-utilization of resource information are various (Dalal-Clayton and
Dent, 1993):
- Information is sectoral, gathered by different institutions without coordination, not integrated, and
sometimes incomplete or out of date
- Information is in scattered reports and maps in different offices and not easily accessible, therefore
- Information is presented in terms that are not easily comprehensible by resource managers
- Information collection is not geared towards solving urgent resource problems or conflicts
- Information often does not reflect the knowledge and information needs of the actual resource
users
- Local institutions do not have sufficient capabilities to understand and use the available
information for decision making
The use of a geographic information system (GIS) can improve the efficient use of available
information on natural resources and their use. Possible contributions of GIS to a more effective use of
natural resource information include:
- A better visualization of the spatial diversity of resources, thereby improving the transparency of
decisions regarding alternative uses of natural resource and the allocation of scarce funds to areas
most in need
- Improved possibilities to analyze and integrate data from different sources
- The possibility to assess impacts of alternative interventions, e.g. the spatial distribution of
benefits of an intervention in relation to the needs of local communities
Minimum requirements for a GIS-based information system to become effective as a tool that supports
natural resource management in existing institutions are: (i) a personal computer, colour printer and
digitizer; (ii) user-friendly GIS software, a word processor and spreadsheet programme; (iii) trained
staff, knowledgeable with the use of GIS software; and (iv) awareness that a GIS-based information
system will improve the institution’s natural resource management capabilities
2. The Kanyati Communal Lands
All communal land in Zimbabwe is state land. Rural District Councils have the legal power to manage
communal resources for the benefits of the people. The Kanyati Communal Lands belong to the
Nyaminyami Rural District and are located in North Zimbabwe. Resources like grazing land and
woodland in Kanyati are held under communal tenure. Arable land and residential land in the
communal areas, on the other hand, are held under a traditional freehold tenure that gives exclusive
rights of use to families. These rights are transferable within a family (Sibanda, 2001).
Kanyati consists of two wards and ten villages. Each village has a Village Development Committee
(VIDCO) headed by a chairman. Ward councillors represent the VIDCO chairmen in the Nyaminyami
Rural District Council. Several ministries and government departments have offices or representatives
at the headquarters of the Council.
The study area lies 800 m to 1,000 m above sea level and is mainly underlain by metamorphic and
igneous rocks. Soils vary in depth, but are mostly shallow and sandy. The climate is semi-arid with an
annual rainfall of between 600 and 900 mm and a rainy season of 3 to 5 months. In the early 1980’s,
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