The Take Another Take: In Tanzania, the Maasai may lose their land – again
Aug 9, 2025
Joseph Oleshangay, a human rights lawyer in Tanzania, and Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director of the Oakland Institute, discuss the urgent plight of the Maasai people facing eviction from their ancestral lands near the Serengeti. They reveal the complexities of conservation efforts that prioritize wildlife over indigenous rights. The conversation sheds light on the clash between government policies and Maasai culture, highlighting the need for incorporating traditional practices into conservation strategies. Listeners gain a profound understanding of land rights and the deep connection between the Maasai and their environment.
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Fortress Conservation Masks Evictions
- Experts call the approach 'fortress conservation' that treats indigenous people as threats to land they have protected for generations.
- The model often masks evictions as conservation to prioritize outside interests over local rights.
Phone Registered The Area As UAE
- Anuradha Mittal noticed her phone registered Loliando as the United Arab Emirates, revealing deep UAE influence on the area.
- She links that influence to royal hunting interests and local displacement.
Elite Trophy Hunting Drives Land Policy
- Tanzania granted hunting rights to a UAE-linked company (OBC) tied to Dubai's ruling family and defense minister.
- Plans to convert Loliondo into a reserve would prioritize elite trophy hunts over Maasai residence.