Exploring the environmental justice-rural development nexus : the quest for sustainable livelihoods in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Implementing rural development programmes has burdened rural communities with many unprecedented environmental and developmental issues. However, Zimbabwe is naturally endowed with resources, and rural inhabitants residing where some natural resources are located experience high levels of hunger and poverty. The global rise in concerns regarding the decline of rural livelihoods linked to environmental difficulties has led to the recognition of sustainability as a crucial method for addressing some challenges in international politics. Such a paradox immediately poses significant problems for research, particularly regarding environmental governance, livelihoods and the allocation and regulation of resources. This thesis examines some crucial topics on the rural development paradox, focussing on the impact of environment governance, livelihood strategies, and access to, control over, and ownership of natural resources. A combination of research methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative data collected over a year in the Matobo and Umzingwane districts, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe, form the basis of the research. Two research venues were selected. Based on similarities in resource allocation and different utilisation patterns and governance structures. The data collection involved examining several secondary sources and conducting 100 structured interviews. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted (6-12) participants and 21 key informant interviews. A quantitative approach was employed to investigate the correlation between several indices of sustainable livelihoods and environmental justice and the relationship between various indicators of livelihood sustainability under various policies. In addition, a household survey assessed how families utilise and derive advantages from natural resources in their respective areas. Qualitative methods, such as FDG observation and in-depth interviews, were used to gain insights into perceptions, beliefs and knowledge regarding the phenomena investigated. The thesis highlights that rural communities are vulnerable to internal and external factors undermining their livelihood strategies. Prior resource holders control natural resources with the stated purpose of conservation and efficiency but with a hidden intention to satisfy the interests of investors and those holding influential societal positions. The dominance of asymmetric power relations is one of the key issues that influence development initiatives. These relations have contributed to the intensification of environmental injustices such as the appropriation of land, the displacement of people, the exclusion from decision-making processes, the inability to access and control resources and the recognition of values, norms and knowledge prevalent in rural communities. This study provides insights into fundamental reasons behind policy shortcomings, conflicts, and economic and social inequities. However, the fact that such circumstances continue to occur highlights that natural resources are not only a governance issue but also an inherently political issue involving contestation regarding how social and ecological connections are defined and managed. To comprehend the reasons behind this predicament, the present researcher has utilised theoretical perspectives of political ecology and political economy as an analytical framework. Political ecology looks at the connection between ecological outcomes and power imbalances resulting from governmental and institutional influences on local communities, indigenous populations, and the management of natural resources. This thesis explores how a political ecology framework could address dominant power dynamics identified as the primary cause of environmental injustice. Additionally, it aims to contribute to ongoing academic and policy discussions on environmental governance and sustainable rural livelihood strategies by providing fresh perspectives on issues of informal communities, injustice and exclusion. The research explores why sustainable livelihood development has yet to achieve its objectives by considering adopting an environmental justice approach as an alternative framework for guiding sustainability. The thesis suggests that governments and policymakers should embrace the environmental and justice perspective while formulating sustainable livelihood development.