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Environmental issues are outspoken worldwide due to the effects of environmental degradation. Faith based institutions possess unique persuading and mobilizing power and authority over their believers but this has not yet been utilized in environmental conservation. Often, areas owned and developed by religious institutions have well conserved environment, while in the neighbouring communities the environment is quite the opposite. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Northern Diocese (ND) to determine the role of religious institutions on environmental conservation. Specifically, the study determined the survival rate, and analyzed factors influencing survival of the trees at household level, determining the compliance mechanisms used by the Church and the community perception on the approach used by the Church in environmental conservation, as well as identifying challenges that households face in the management of the trees. A multistage sampling procedure was employed from diocesan to parish level where 100 households were involved, where primary and secondary data were collected. The findings revealed that 78% of the planted trees have survived to date. Strong spiritual influence through behaviour building by the Church, availability of land, manpower, good timing of planting season, good caring strategies, availability of tree seedlings, and agro-ecological zones enhanced survival of the trees. There was a well-defined system organized by the Church to ensure compliance of the youths in tree planting at household level. The findings revealed positive community perception of the model used by the Church by engaging youth in environmental conservation. Challenges like schedule interference, pests and diseases, negligence, distance from the household, livestock rearing, drought and theft were noted at different levels in the programme. It is here concluded that faith based organization have a strong role to play in changing people’s behaviour beyond spiritual basis with or without direct benefits. The approach of involving youth in the early stages of life has implications to the youth themselves and the entire family. It is recommended that religious organizations have to be given central role in fostering for environmental conservation behaviour change to ensure the compliance of youths, other groups and the community at large. It is further recommended that the approach demonstrated by ELCT ND to be up scaled to other parts of Tanzania. |
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