Environmental constraints to development efforts in semi-arid regions of East Africa

Abstract

Environmental constraints to development in semi-arid regions of East Africa are considered, based on documented studies of marginal lands in the region and with a particular focus on Kenya. Development is not merely a function of social and economic forces alone. The whole spectrum of development is also determined by forces of a physical and biological nature. The interrelationship of all these forces in the natural and human environment determines the nature and magnitude of constraints to regional development efforts. The constraints to development efforts are numerous but a thorough understanding of their mechanisms has been adversely affected by a lack of scientific data on important parameters. The slow pace of development in the marginal lands is a colonial legacy which the present governments of East African countries are determined to correct. KEYWORDS: RURAL | Environment | natural resources | environment | semi arid zone | development strategy | East Africa | Kenya.