COMMUNITY-BASED MANAGEMENT OF THE RUNGWA CORRIDOR FORESTS

AREAS OF INTERVENTION

Community-based natural resources management, Development of income-generating activities, Capacity building of local partners, Networking and support for the establishment of umbrella organizations, beekeeping.

LOCAL PARTNERS

• Natural Resources Committees for the Joint Forest Management of Rungwa River
• ADAP Tanzania

IN COLLABORATION WITH

• Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS)
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT)
• Sikonge District Council
• Mlele District Council
• Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI)
• University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland- (HEPIA Geneva)
• Adansonia Consulting

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The forests in the north of the Rungwa River are a functional ecological corridor and contribute sustainably to the livelihoods of the neighbouring villages.

SECOND PHASE OBJECTIVES (2021-2023)

• The JFM steps of institutional governance and management structure are implemented for the Rungwa River Forest Reserve
• Beekeepers, mushrooms pickers and livestock keepers along the corridor have the basic knowledge to harvest/produce sustainable added-value products.

DESCRIPTION

The region’s forests are under increasing human pressure to the detriment of the local population with livelihoods still depending heavily on natural resources. Conflicts over resources are common and the region faces water scarcity, but some try to organize themselves to manage resources. At the start the project supported JUHIWAKU, a community-based organization that oversaw the management of the Kululu village reserve and INHBO, a beekeepers association of Ilunde. Both association are within the same ecological corridor and lack the technical and financial means to cope with the pressures.

After discussions with the stakeholders during the phase one, the project will now support the establishment of a Joint Forest Management for the Rungwa River Forest Reserve. It will also continue to support forest users so they can benefit from their resources sustainably and avoid conflicts long-term. The focus will be on:

• Capacity building
• Support for community conserved areas
• Development of income-generating activity sectors (beekeeping and mushrooms)
• Networking of local and regional actors

The project will place great emphasis on community consultation as well as on collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure different institutions manage the ecological corridor consistently and sustainably.