In the face of escalating climate change, Indigenous Peoples around the world stand as both vulnerable populations and invaluable sources of solutions. Among them, the Maasai of East Africa exemplify this duality, relying on their deep-rooted knowledge of ecosystems to navigate the impacts of climate change while simultaneously facing severe challenges to their way of life.
Guardians of the Land
For centuries, the Maasai people, residing primarily in the pasturelands of Kenya and Tanzania, have cultivated a harmonious relationship with nature. Their traditional practices not only prevent land degradation but also promote biodiversity in the region.
However, this delicate balance is increasingly threatened by prolonged droughts that have ravaged their lands and decimated their livestock, leading to food insecurity and poverty.
Nai Nancy Laizer, Assistant Director of Savannas Forever, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and development, emphasizes the dire situation: “Prolonged drought affects the livelihoods of Maasai communities since they depend on livestock keeping. Many cattle have died during periods of drought, leading to food insecurity and poverty.”
Community-Led Reforestation Initiatives
Recognizing the need for urgent action, the UNDP-Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) has joined forces with Maasai communities in Tanzania’s Arusha region to promote climate adaptation measures rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Under the global Adaptation Innovation Marketplace, three Maasai communities—Arkaria, Mti Mmoja, and Loiborsiret—are reforesting 15 acres of land and restoring grassland biodiversity by replanting native species.
This initiative is supported by Savannas Forever, which works closely with local communities to implement effective solutions. The planting of native grasses, legumes, and herbaceous species not only restores degraded rangelands but also enhances the health and quality of pastures, crucial for the Maasai’s livestock, which are vital for their sustenance and culture.
Stories from the Community
The reforestation initiative has already begun to transform the lives of Maasai families. Margareth Petro, a Maasai woman from Arkaria, shares her experience: “We are greatly benefitting from having a reliable source of grazing pasture, ensuring our cattle are well-fed. All of this has also enabled us to earn money to purchase goats and send our children to school.”
This initiative integrates local knowledge in selecting plant species and employs local women and young people to collect seeds and cultivate productive mixtures. Once grown, these plants serve as fodder for livestock and sources of new seeds for the community.
To ensure widespread involvement, Savannas Forever selects community champions—primarily women and youth—to inspire others to replicate the initiative. “Eligible candidates should be men or women under 30, must have access to three acres of degraded rangeland for reseeding, and should have the ability to fence the area,” Nancy explains.
Neema Alfayo, one of the seed champions, has witnessed the potential of this initiative firsthand. “After being chosen as a champion, my husband and I discussed and we realized that our land was going unused. With the organization’s support, we planted the seeds, which naturally thrived,” she shares.
A Sustainable Future
Neema’s pasture, like many others, has been adversely affected by the changing climate, but the new plants increase the chances of survival during droughts, restoring degraded areas and improving conditions for cattle raising.
The efforts of the Maasai communities to restore native grasslands underscore the critical role of Indigenous knowledge and community-led initiatives in addressing climate change. These grassroots actions not only preserve the Maasai way of life but also contribute to the broader resilience of ecosystems and livelihoods in the region.
By amplifying Indigenous voices and investing in their practices, we can forge pathways toward resilience, sustainability, and a more equitable future in the face of climate change.