Contribution of child labour to environmental degradation in Lukobe ward in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explicate the contribution of child labour to the occurrence of environmental degradation in Tanzania  using Lukobe ward in Morogoro municipality. It is based on the data collected from fifty respondents aged between 7 to 17 years who are  engaged in various activities for survival in the community. The data were collected through questionnaires, observations,  documentary reviews and interviews. The major findings were as follows: child labour has been taking place in areas such as brick  making, tree cutting, and charcoal making, fetching water, farming, charcoal vending and honey extraction. All these activities have led to  deforestation and disappearance of both trees and animal species. Areas that were left bare succumbed to erosion leading to  formation of gullies and destruction of roads as well as houses causing predominance of poverty. Apart from environmental degradation,  child labour also led to disruption of children’s schooling through truancy and absenteeism. It is recommended that  Morogoro municipal authorities should stop illegal activities like tree cutting and charcoal making. By-laws should be enacted and  enforced to ensure that child labour does not take place and people carry out activities in a legal way. Furthermore, fines should be  instituted for those who break the laws and regulations. Lastly, education for changing people’s beliefs and attitudes has to be provided.