EKOSIASA CBFM CASE STUDIES J.M. Abdallah SUA Morogoro

Background The importance of community forestry was felt early in the 1980s it was not until the mid 1990s that CBFM started making news in Tanzania particularly with the famous Duru- Haitemba Community Forest Reserve.

Management issues Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) involves management of village forest lands or so called village forest reserves. In most cases it is designed to transform unsustainable management of existing natural forests in the villages, to more sustainable management.

Management issues… These forests are managed by village governments through established Village Forest Committees (VFCs) The VFCs are responsible for day to day forest management activities such as patrolling, gap planting, and fire fighting in collaboration with other villagers. With assistance from local supporting organizations, they use forest management guidelines and by-laws formulated and approved by the respective district council for use in each village.

Management issues… In Community Based Forest Management, the local communities are the actual decision makers during the planning and implementation, but need to be guided by the District authorities through established guidelines These bodies are legal entities with respective powers.

Management issues… Decision making power is based on the fact that the CBFM areas are common holds of the local communities

Management issues… Limitation on access to firewood, building materials (thatching grass, timber and poles), grazing area, source of water, medicines, source of food (fruits, honey, mushroom, wild meat), and social cultural activities. Locally controlled grazing patterns The bureaucratic approach to conflict resolution puts the main emphasis on formal government officials and institutions

Management issues “….despite having a well-defined platform for management, implementation has not been without problems. The bylaws have at times been used successfully to fine and/or send offenders to jail. In addition, the Environmental Committees have been meeting regularly to deal with occurring problems. However, they have not always been able to take the appropriate action in some of the villages”.

Management issues.. The purpose of CBFM is –improved socio-economic situation of the people, poverty reduction, improved natural resource management and equitable utilization for sustainable management Achievement of the objective is based on successful implementation of the on-going community activities including –livestock keeping, farming and management of available natural resources (water sources, forest, wildlife, land and beekeeping etc.)

The challenges include ensuring sustainable exploitation, benefit sharing, involvement of actors and apportioning roles and responsibilities among the community, district council and central government. Therefore –Investigation of the role of CBFM in poverty reduction is crucial. is there a link btn community conservation and poverty? –On the other hand, it is important to examine the ways the CBFM may empower various actors and actor groups on an equal basis or, on the contrary, lead to favorisation of some individuals and/or groups and marginalisation of others.

The case studies The project propose two case studies under CBFM: one (Suledo community forest) situated in a dry miombo area, with possibilities for harvesting timber, and the other (Duru-Haitemba forest) in a wetter environment, where communities are likely to benefit from eco-tourism activities, eco-friendly farming practices as well as harvesting non- timber forest products.

Suledo community forest Suledo CBFM initiatives started in the Suledo area in is a multi-ethnic society from nine villages. Situated in the south-eastern corner of Kiteto District Found in the three Wards of Sunya, Lengatei and Dongo, from which it derives its name. bordering Handeni, Kilosa and Kongwa Districts, in Arusha region, Tanzania.

Suledo community forest… The total population of these nine villages is 53,909. This is a vast and species rich Miombo forest covering an area of 167,416 ha. The major and unique characteristic of the forest is that it is used mainly for grazing by the Maasai who are pastoralists and initially owned the land.

Suledo community forest… Gradual in-migration of other tribes has resulted in quite diversified society bringing in other land uses mainly farming. The Maasai are also gradually starting farming activities as well. This situation brings new challenges to the residents who want to continue to manage the forest sustainably

Duru-Haitemba Forest Duru – Haitemba is a miombo woodland forest, lies on low hills about 20 km South of Babati town in Babati district Manyara Region- Tanzania. With an area of 9000 ha, the woodlands represent the only remaining tract of forest of any significance in the otherwise well settled and cultivated Babati District Duru – Haitemba is owned and managed by eight village communities, each village managing the forest within its village land.

Duru-Haitemba Forest… where after more than 10 years of community management the villagers are now considering low level commercial harvesting of their forest. communities are also likely to benefit from eco-tourism activities, eco-friendly farming practices as well. This is because much of the early PFM was carried out on degraded forest land that had little tradeable timber left. This meant that utilisation opportunities for forest managers were limited and long lead-times were required before the forests became commercially viable