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HIMADA: Litmus test for REDD that is bearing fruit

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Participants Get Certificates on the Final Day of Training of Entrepreneurship

The 1^st picture above shows guests of honor from The Royal Norwegian Embassy, Kisarawe District authority, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) and the trainers from University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS), 2^nd picture shows participants who attended the training on entrepreneurship at Kisarawe and Chanika, 3^rd and 4^th pictures shows some of the participants receiving their certificate of attendance. The function was held at Kisarawe Junior Seminary Secondary School (KJSSS) on the day of 31^st March 2012.

UDBS Conducted One Week Training on Entrepreneurship to Communities Adjacent to Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves

Communities from adjacent the Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves (PKFRs) attending a one week training on entrepreneurship that was conducted in Kisarawe and Chanika by UDBS. At the end of the training, communities will have enough entrepreneurship skills ready to engage into environment friendly livelihood options for generating micro incomes necessarily on reducing pressure into the PKFRs forest. The 1st picture above shows a trainer from University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) Dr. Henry Chalu in front of trainees facilitating the training and the 2nd Pictures are the participants listening tentatively during the training.

An Analysis of the Legal, Policy and Institutional Framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Pilot Project in Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves

This Study aims at undertaking a comprehensive review of the REDD's legal and institutional framework in the Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves in Tanzania. A legal component will address legal and institutional related issues based on the findings and recommendations from a detailed legal and institutional study to examine issues surrounding governance structure in the management of Pugu and Kazimzumbwi forests. This component is being implemented by LEAT. This study was conducted at the beginning of the project. The study seeks to inform the project and enable an effective and detailed design and planning to ensure that all relevant legal and institutional related issues are adequately addressed during implementation.

These are findings from the Field:

On Legal and Policy Matters

The team noted that there is little knowledge on laws and policies that are used to regulate and manage the two forest reserves. The respondents interviewed were of the view that legislation and policies are good and have provisions which provide for effective management and regulation of PKFRs activities. They hinted that there is a pertinent problem of enforcing the laws and implementing the policies. Accordingly, this leads to illegal activities to continue being carried out with most perpetrators left to go scot free.

Based on the foregoing, some respondents suggested that trainings on the laws and policies that regulate forest reserves should be conducted. Further, it was suggested that friendly Swahili versions of the laws and policies be made available to the communities. The communities also suggested that fines charged for breaching forest law provisions need to be reviewed because most of the suspects usually paid fines imposed on them, only to commit similar offences later.

They observed that this situation has been encouraging illegal activities in the two forests reserves.

Institutions for PKFRs Management and Conservation

The inadequacy of forest officers, forest guards and poor governance at the district (Forest and

Beekeeping Division/TFS) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism level were listed as one of the main reasons for the deterioration state of PKFRs. Respondents from the villages  and mitaa neighboring PKFRs pointed out that poor enforcement of the forest laws is the main driver of deforestation and forest degradation of the two forest reserves. Respondents specifically pointed out that Ministry has not made sufficient efforts to make the community members appreciate the value of the PKFRs.

Most of the respondents also noted that they do not see any problems with the model of institutional arrangement or the institutions which have the mandate to manage the PKFRs. They did not propose any changes because to them the institutional arrangement is good. They noted that the PKFRs are being managed by MNRT through FBD/TFS. At the district level, the district forest officers are involved in conservation and management work. However, they observed that there is very little involvement of environmental and natural resources committees from neighbouring villages in forest management in PKFRs. Some respondents from WAHIPUKA substantiated this fact by emphasizing that they have been taking part in some forest management activities.

Sustainable PKFRs Conservation

Most respondents mentioned several threats that hinder sustainable PKFRs conservation. The common threats listed included; fire outbreaks, charcoal making, agriculture, sand quarrying, tree cutting and erection of residential houses within the PKFRs.118 Some of the respondents were of the view that there should be a review of the fines charged those who breach forest law because they seem to be small to perpetrators. They also noted that cases take a relatively longer time to be determined and that this affects the evidence and in some cases it leads to setting free culprits because at the end of the day the evidence is either destroyed or considered inadequate to convict offenders.

Deforestation and Unsustainable Conservation

The team noted, with concern, that a substantial part of Kazimzumbwi forest reserve is now almost bare land due to different illegal activities which have been undertaken on the forest landscape. Small trees and the vegetation have increasingly disappeared. Pugu forest reserve's status is, however, encouraging despite the few illegal activities being carried on in the forest. Through observation and respondents responses, the team identified several reasons for PKFRs deforestation and forest degradation. These include: poverty, existence of inadequate alternative income generating activities, poor governance of PKFRs, non-participatory conservation initiatives and corruption among forest officers and district officials.  Some of the respondents pointed out that the CARE/WCST project implemented in early 2000, although quite successful, become unsustainable for conserving PKFRs due to a lack of a clear exit strategy. They noted that after the funding period ended, nothing remained for sustaining activities for conserving

PKFRs.

The team also noted that the community members concern for the sustenance of the PKFRs has partly been eroded due to the concept of projects. Respondents consider the "project approach" to addressing the concerns as not being adequate. Respondents noted that the CARE/WCST project addressed issues pertaining to joint forest management (JFM) and community based forest management (CBFM) quite successfully at the initial stages. They noted that with time, however, the JFM and CBFM failed to materialize as anticipated the MNRT was uncomfortable with the benefit sharing scheme.

Governance

Findings from the field reveal that although the PKFRs have been under the governance of MNRT since its gazzettement, local community members in the proximity to PKFRs have not been part of the governance and management structure despite of several attempts initiated by the WCST. This scenario divorced the community members from being part of the PKFRs management and governance. However, it was noted that in 2004, through CARE/WCST interventions, communities were involved in managing the forest through JFM and CBFM, although it ended up in vain because JFM agreements could not be signed.

Findings also reveal that there is longstanding boarder conflict between Nzasa and Kimwani villagers/residents who identify themselves as legal owners of the land claimed to be within Kazimzumbwi forest landscape. The conflict is fueled by interventions from the central government whereby it is alleged that the Government has ordered a group of alleged illegal dwellers out of the forest until it resolves the conflict. Respondents were concerned, however, that the government has been lax in addressing the border conflict. Respondents pointed out that he conflict started in the early 1990's when the Chanika villagers (now Ilala has no villages, but has mitaa/streets) through its chairman, one Mr. Peter Leo, officially requested the MNRT to allow villagers to cultivate seasonal crops in Kazimzumbwi forest reserve. 

The team also noted that some Nzasa residents purposefully set bush-fires irregularly with the intention of destroying Kazimzumbwi forest. Respondents also alleged that some officers at the Ilala Municipality permitted some Nzasa residents to live in the forest under the Municipality's development plan map (which the team members did not see) which allegedly indicates that the PKFRs borders have been altered to accommodate the residents. Some elders (three) who preferred anonymity (for security reasons) argued that the area in a dispute is a national forest reserve (Kazimzumbwi). They informed the team that there are about 6 individuals who were selling the forest land claiming to be their own lands owned under customary right of occupancy. The names of the individuals were availed to the team.

Understanding of REDD Issues among the Local Communities adjacent to PKFRs

The overall findings of the study reveals that the REDD concept is basically unfamiliar to the members of the community in the proximity of the PKFRs and also to most of the local government officials in Ilala and Kisarawe districts who are directly or indirectly responsible for conserving and managing the forest reserves. The REDD concept needs to be elaborated to communities adjacent to PKFRs and local government officials so that they may actively and effectively participate in the project implementation with clear understanding of the REDD mechanisms, its benefits and disadvantages thereof, if any.

Benefits to Communities Proximity to PKFRs

Almost all respondents admitted that they never have any direct benefits from the PKFRs in monetary terms. This suggests that, their involvement in conservation is very minimal and this state of affairs cannot motivate the communities to participate effectively in conserving and managing the two forests. Findings reveal that the communities adjacent to PKFRs have been 52

accruing benefits from the forest reserves in terms of medicinal plants, collecting mushrooms, tourism/entrepreneurial activities, clean and fresh air because the forest is a carbon sink and water source from the streams and rivers flowing from the forest reserves.

A Detailed Study on Social Economic situation and potential Alternative Income Generating Activities (AIGAs) of Communities Around Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forests

The study was conducted in September 2011 in 8 villages locations surrounding Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves (PKFRs). This study was undertaken by the Department of Accounting of the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS) the official partner of HIMADA in delivering output five on socio-economic aspect and identification of potential alternative income generating activities (AIGAs). The aim of this study was to identify those alternative incomes so as to facilitate development of business plans and establishing business for local communities. Furthermore the study aimed at generating knowledge on the general understanding of local community on REDD issues and carbon trading. The study presents a combined approach whereby both qualitative (interviews and observations) and quantitative (questionnaire) data are used to present the socio-economic status and potential AIGAs. 

Some of the findings of the study
General understanding of REDD and Carbon issues:

Another aspect of socio-economic profile of the area surrounding the forest was the issue concerned with their general understanding on REDD and carbon issues Another aspect of socio-economic profile of the area surrounding the forest was the issue concerned with their general understanding on REDD and carbon issues. The findings reveal that the general understanding of the community on carbon selling is very low. Out of 546 respondents, 371 (about 67.9%) said that they do not understand, 133 (about 24.4%) have low understanding while only 36 (about 2.9%) considered themselves to understand some issues relating to REDD. The remaining 26 (or 4.8%) were not sure or did not respond to the question. On the REDD initiatives, only 56 equivalent to 10.3%, 472 respondents (about 86.4) do not have knowledge on REDD initiatives and the remaining 18 (or 3.3%) did not respond to the question.

Furthermore on the REDD issues, the study was interested to understand which measures have to be taken to ensure that implementation of the REDD is a successful one. The results indicate that majority of the respondents (57.7%) considered that better protection of the existing forests and community involvements in the forest management (56.6%) are the important measures. Also other measures which also were considered to be important were use and promotion of efficient alternative energy source (37.5%) and facilitating villages to establish nurseries, tending and planting trees (31.5%). These measures can be summarised in three issues. First, the community considers that for REDD to succeed there is a need to involve the community around the forest reserves. Second, there is a need for the government to develop mechanisms to protect existing forests. And third, there is also a need to come up with efficient alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on the existing forest. 

General understanding of the REDD issues

		Number	%
General understanding of carbon selling	Do not understand	371	67.9
	Low understanding	133	24.4
	Not so sure	6	1.1
	Understand	36	2.9
	No response	20	3.7
General understanding of REDD initiatives	General REDD issues:
	Yes	56	10.3
	No	472	86.4
	No response	18	3.3
Willingness to participate in REDD initiatives	Yes	430	78.8
	No	63	11.5
	No Response	53	9.7
Factors for participation in REDD	Price mechanism	349	63.9
	Sustainability of the payment	395	72.3
	Waiting period before payment start	61	11.2
	What happens after payment period	24	4.4
	Permission to harvest after the period	44	8.1
	Quantification of the carbon content	17	3.1
	Government protection	33	6.0
	Others	16	2.9
Measures that can help your area to achieve REDD implementation	Facilitate villages to establish nurseries, tending and planting trees	172	31.5
	Better protection of existing forests	315	57.7
	Use and promotion of efficient alternative energy source	205	37.5
	Community involvement in forest management	309	56.6
	Efficient nitrogen fertilizers and agronomics practices	33	6.0
	Encouraging growing crops that are resistant to adverse weather condition	41	7.5
	Promotion of sustainable production system in agriculture	5	9.0

Table: Showing Potential AIGAs in the study Areas

AIGA Type	Area for application	Risks on the forest	Risk Mitigation measures
Agriculture (more than 75% depend on it)
1. Vegetables production (Mchicha, Matembele, Majani ya Kunde, Redfinger, spinach, tomatoes, etc)	Kisarawe:	If proper land use plan is not properly enforced there is a danger of encroaching the forest land. There are possible use of chemicals which if not properly guided can lead to environmental disaster	Land use plan must be clearly presented and proper management plan should be in place. ·         Extension officers should be in place to guide the farmers on the proper use of different inputs
It was oberved that if a household could grow these fruits, average income per household per season is Tshs 400,000	Maguruwe:- There is river Mzinga which could provide water for irrigation. There is water catchment
	Umatumbini area:- There is water catchment. However, there is a big problem of infrastructure
	Ilala:
	Nzasa:- There are two factors to make vegetables more potential: first is the availability of market due to location and  good infrastructure; and second factor water catchment because the area is too close to the forest reserve	·         The use of pesticides and fertilizers could be harmful to the environment and the downstream users	Extension officer should in place to guide the farmers
	Kitunda:- Water from River Mzinga could provide water irrigation. It was observed that majority of farmers are using water from river Mzinga for irrigation. The observation was consistent with the study conducted by Ngana et al (2010) titled Kizinga-Catchment Management Strategy which found that 66% of farmers were using irrigation	Farming should be done in the river bank. A clear boundary should be set for farmers to follow. Also should allow the water to continue following in the river system	Same as above
	Chanika:- Location and good infrastructure provide good market. Soil quality and water can provide a better environment for vegetable production
2. Fruits production (passion, water melon, pineapples, sugarcane, bananas, cucumber, mangoes, oranges)	For passions and pineapples can be grown almost in all areas in the two districts. However, for greater impact in income generation, Kisarawe is better situated because there are large areas for farming compared to Ilala.
	Other fruits can be grown in areas where the is possibility of getting adequate water
	Mangoes and oranges have greater potentiality in Kisarawe district
3. Crops (cassava, cashewnuts, sweet potatoes, sesame,	All these crops can be grown in kisarawe District because it is more rural. The justification here is availability of land.
4. Tree Nursery Development	Greater potential in Ilala than in Kisarawe because of the level of urbanization
5. Fish Farming	Kisarawe: Here the space is adequate and the community can harvest rain to create fish ponds
Livestock:
1. Poultry	Kisarawe:
	Kisarawe village availability of market
	Ilala
	Chanika its potential to sell the poultry produces
2. Goat keeping	Can be done in Kisarawe
Beekeeping (this also can provide avenues for beehives business)	In both district Ilala and Kisarawe because the beekeeping is going to be done in the forest reserves	This can help protect the forest. Guidance should be provided especially during the harvest. Fire harvest should be avoided	Extension officers should be in place
Eco-tourism and its related businesses	Both Ilala and Kisarawe, but the centre could be put in Kisarawe
1. Sculputure
2. Batik
3. Baskets
4. Mikeka/Carpets
Business establishment
1. Retail shops
2. Guest houses
3. Restaurant/Pubs
4. Tailoring
5. Artworks
6. Masonry
7. Mama Ntilie/Lishe
8. Garage operations