A carbon offsets scheme helping a hunter-gather tribe and a pastoralist tribe in Tanzania
The Hadza hunter-gatherers have lived traditional lifestyles in the forests of the Yaeda valley, northern Tanzania, for 40,000 years. Their neighbours, the Datooga pastoralists, also adhere to a traditional way of life, practising sustainable livestock herding on a rotational basis.
Despite the stark differences in their lifestyles, both communities rely on a healthy forest to preserve their respective culture and traditions. The identity, culture and traditions of these communities are under threat from migrant farmers who encroach upon their forests, employing unsustainable farming practices.
Recognising this shared threat, the Hadza and Datooga have joined forces to protect their natural heritage. In addition to successfully reducing deforestation in the region, their collaboration has resulted in a source of income. The communities are generating high-quality carbon credits by protecting their threatened forests. These credits are then sold to companies with credible emission reduction strategies on the voluntary carbon market. The revenue generated from these sales is channelled directly back to the villages.
This revenue is proving transformative for both the Hadza and Datooga. Not only does it enhance forest protection, but it also contributes to community development by improving access to healthcare facilities and fortifying educational opportunities. Meanwhile, the protected forests continue to thrive, supporting the ancient culture and invaluable indigenous knowledge of the Hadza and Datooga. This collaboration provides hope for sustainable coexistence between traditional communities and the ecosystems they depend on.
This film has been entered in the MPB Geographical Better World Video Awards. See all the entries and the winners.
