Unpacking the Transformative Power of the Rights of Nature: Rethinking Self, Society, and Nature in Environmental Governance in Tanzania

This study examines the transformative potential of integrating the Rights of Nature (RoN) into Tanzania’s environmental governance framework to address persistent ecological degradation, legal marginalization of local communities, and systemic governance gaps. Despite global progress in adopting the Rights of Nature (RoN), where ecosystems are granted legal personhood and communities serve as guardians Tanzania’s legal and institutional frameworks remain predominantly anthropocentric, lacking provisions that recognize nature’s intrinsic value. The primary objective of the study was to critically evaluate the extent to which Tanzania’s current governance systems reflect or exclude RoN principles and to propose transformative pathways grounded in justice, inclusivity, and local knowledge. The study analyzed international legal instruments, Tanzanian statutes, scholarly literature, and case studies using a doctrinal and thematic review methodology. Findings reveal that, despite Tanzania’s comprehensive environmental legislation, such as the Environmental Management Act (2004), key provisions fail to ensure procedural justice and exclude communities from meaningful participation, particularly under Strategic Environmental Assessment regulations. Conversely, local and Indigenous communities such as the Maasai, Chagga, and Zaramo have long practiced ecological stewardship grounded in relational worldviews, echoing RoN values. However, these systems are neither legally recognized nor institutionalized. The study concludes that a shift towards rights-based and transformative governance is necessary to address environmental injustice and ecological decline. It recommends revising legal frameworks to grant ecosystem rights, mandating participatory governance, and embedding Indigenous and local knowledge into environmental policy. Such reforms will not only enhance ecological integrity and local empowerment but also contribute to achieving Tanzania’s commitments under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13, 15, and 16.