Understanding seasonal migration and resource use among pastoralists in Tanzania: a participatory mapping and GPS tracking approach

Pastoral systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially East Africa, are undergoing significant changes driven by diverse environmental and socio economic pressures. To sustainably manage livestock and pastoral resources, detailed insights into land use and migration patterns are crucial but often scarce. This study employs an integrated approach, combining participatory mapping and GPS collar tracking, to document pastoral land use and migration behaviors in Karatu, Longido, and Monduli districts in northern Tanzania. Participatory mapping was conducted in 219 villages, where community members identified critical livestock resources such as seasonal grazing areas, water sources, livestock dips, and migration corridors. These community generated maps were then digitized into a comprehensive geospatial database ( dtlp.nottech.co.tz ). Additionally, GPS collars were deployed on selected cattle herds to record precise herd movements over several months, offering quantitative insights into livestock migration and resource use. Initial results demonstrate continued reliance on nomadic practices and communal grazing in Longido and Monduli. Conversely, in Karatu, expanding agricultural activities have compelled pastoralists to adopt agro-pastoral strategies, including crop cultivation and stall feeding livestock. Across all districts, pasture scarcity remains a critical challenge despite extensive grazing lands, driving pastoralists to seasonal migrations. The GPS data that was collected put a concrete number that approximately an animal can walk a distance of 4,000 km in less than a year. Although migration is essential for survival during dry periods, it increases risks such as disease transmission due to herd convergence at limited grazing areas or water points. This integrated methodological approach effectively captures on-the-ground pastoral land use details not visible through satellite imagery alone, with GPS tracking providing essential quantitative validation. The findings emphasize the practical benefits and feasibility of combining indigenous knowledge and modern tracking technologies. Ultimately, this methodology supports community driven land use planning and enhances sustainable resource management practices within pastoralist contexts.