02/08/2026
PRESS STATEMENT
People of Ngorongoro, Loliondo, and Lake Natron Unite to Denounce a New Wave of Land Grabbing
We, the people of Ngorongoro, Loliondo, and the Lake Natron area, express our deep concern over what we believe is a new wave of land grabbing through proposed changes in land management that threaten our ancestral lands, livelihoods, and future generations.
For centuries, our communities have lived on and cared for these lands, sustaining our families through pastoralism, cultural traditions, and the responsible use of natural resources. These lands are not only our source of livelihood but also the foundation of our identity, history, and heritage.
In response to these developments, communities from across the region—including villages in Ngorongoro, Loliondo, and the Lake Natron area—have come together in a series of peaceful meetings to discuss the way forward. We are united by one common objective: to ensure that our voices are heard and that any decisions affecting our lands are made through genuine consultation, transparency, and respect for the rights of local communities.
We call upon the Government of Tanzania and all relevant authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with affected communities, uphold constitutional and legal protections, and ensure that any land-use decisions respect the rights, dignity, and well-being of the people who have lived on these lands for generations.
We also call upon civil society organizations, development partners, religious leaders, the media, and the international community to follow these developments closely and support peaceful, lawful, and inclusive dialogue.
Our commitment remains firm: we will continue to stand together peacefully and lawfully in defense of our land, our livelihoods, our culture, and the future of our children.
Issued on: 2 August 2026
On behalf of the Communities of Ngorongoro, Loliondo, and Lake Natron
