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 The Masai were evicted from the Ngorongoro crater floor in 1973 and today the NCAA regulates grazing user rights to the Maasai and settlement prohibited.....

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Organization History.

I7th, March 2003 is the day of history for the Indigenous Heartland Organization (IHO). Indigenous people held a meeting in Ngorongoro to reflect and debate on their continued marginalization and poverty in the conservation corridors. At this meeting, which was attended by all the Maasai traditional leaders in the Ngorongoro Division (42 of them), a unanimous resolution was made to initiate the process of establishing a legal entity to be named Indigenous Heartland Organization (IHO).  This meeting was given renewed impetus on the general meeting attended by over 500 Ngorongoro Masai residents, representatives of development organizations, NGOs, CBOs, district authorities and the high profile politician. The  meeting glanced the following to be indigenous problems in the conservation areas.

v      Forced migration crisis, which includes eviction and displacement of pastoral Maasai, Barbaig and Hadzabe inhabitants from their residential areas. The immediate impact included – loss of economic basis, increased livestock diseases, encroachment of pastures and restriction of traditional land user rights and to the natural resources.

v      Implementation of inappropriate policies driven by the pressure groups and international lobby organizations for wildlife conservation. The policies formulated like the Ngorongoro General Management Plan GMP), which projects the Maasai as the main culprits of environmental degradation.

v      Voiceless ness of indigenous people (lacks the political weight) to influence policies (state driven) at national level.  Pastoralist’s representatives have limited capacity to influence changes desired by their constituencies at the decision-making forums (district and national levels).

v      Lack of a vibrant civil society organization capable of engaging with policy apparatus to represent, defend and promote the interests of indigenous people.

To this end, the said general meeting resolved to establish the Indigenous Heartland Organization (IHO) to reduce poverty and injustice, Strengthen democratic values, advance human achievement for indigenous Maasai Hadzabe and Datoga or Barbaig. Other goals identified is to promote the sustainable multiple land use practice that accords equal weight, recognition and respect the needs of communities, conservation and wildlife.

 IHO OUT PUTS

v   Capacity of indigenous people to guide and influence socio – economic and geopolitical process is enhanced

v      A dialogue between Pastoralists and policy makers is initiated and sustained for the sake of promoting defending and empowering the local communities

v      Poor Population become fuller agents in the sustainable development process

v      Social participation of the indigenous people on various forms of dialogues with the government authorities and other agents of social change increased

v      Access to basic services, education and health interventions is enhanced

v      The voice of the poor to demand government reforms in social services delivery is promoted and visibly increased.

v      Preaching about love, peace, conservation of nature and the wildlife.

IHO support was then chartered by Warrior Trails Ltd and Gofan Africa Safaris &Travel by donations geared through cultural Tourism and ecotourism. Directorates of both Companies are natives and have a heart feel of the Socio-Economic problems of the disadvantaged indigenous population.

 To these companies- Ecotourism does not recognize and respect the land rights of indigenous and local communities, including their protected, sensitive and sacred sites to the full. Tourism industry is encroaching on remote and biologically diverse areas, homes to Indigenous peoples and threatens their environment and way of life.

Other concerns are that tourism’s supposed benefits -employment, development of infrastructure, etc. have not "trickled down" or benefited the Maasai, Hadzabe and Barbaig.

The Maasai, Barbaig and Hadzabe and their cultures are put on display by Traveller Agents and Tour Operators on postcards, promotional literature, and in their own homes when tourists arrive and such profits are exclusively for the benefits of indigenous people.

Withstanding the above experiences and decades of poverty and marginalization of indigenous people in their heartlands our companies with the Technical Assistance of Mr. Ndiyaine (IHO Executive Director) are sworn in to support  the Maasai, Hadzabe and Barbaig  by providing opportunities for Socio-economic development through Cultural tourism and Ecotourism at their own habitat. Today Mr. Meena Tegemea-Operation Director for Gofan Africa Safaris & Travel, Mr. Clamian S. Kitesho – Operation Director for Warrior Trails has made tremendous support to IHO. For More Read on PDF our people, animals and land. or write to IHO at info@indigenousheartland.org