Changing land use Sample Clauses

Changing land use patterns The Governments of Mozambique and Tanzania are undertaking a new pace and approach to economic development. Along with Malawi and Zambia, they signed the Mtwara Development Corridor Agreement, which commits them to development of the region. Programs are underway to pave north-south and east-west roads in Tanzania and Mozambique. The Mtwara Corridor development initiative also increases east to west development across the landscape, including a railway line, port development, large scale tree plantations for pulp and paper production and large biofuels plantations. Petroleum exploration has begun on both sides of the border, with natural gas extraction underway north of the border and exploratory drilling to the south. Current and proposed investments in the region could present a major opportunity for livelihood improvement to the rural communities located in the region. However, identification and management of trade-offs among various uses of resources is key to ensuring sustainable development of the region. Unmanaged growth can lead to ecological devastation, increased exhaustion of the resource base, fragmentation of habitats and isolation of populations and increased economic imbalances. To avoid this and promote sustainable solutions, it is critical to promote a process that ensures transparency and good governance, as well as equitable use and distribution among stakeholders of the benefits or resources derived from the landscape.