Project Detail

Promotion of sustainable conservation and utilization of natural resources for poverty reduction and community development around Rufiji Forest Reserve

Context:

Forest resources in Rufiji district has been over-harvested for lucrative logging business. Communities in forest adjacent villages are employed in the logging industry. Some are self employed. Results of unsustainable utilization of forest resources are very clear. Locally, rainfall patterns have changed and are no longer reliable. Rise in temperature is also observed.

This project intends to address this problem through the following action. (i) Impart conservation education to local communities in 12 villages that surround Rufuji forests with the view to sensitizing them to refrain from unsustainable utilization of forest resources (ii) Establish and equip voluntary surveillance groups (iii) Promote bee-keeping as alternative non-timber income generating activity.

About the Proponent:

The NGO was established and registered in 2005. Its main objective is to advocate for sustainable conservation and utilization of natural and cultural resources for poverty reduction and community development. Currently, the NGO is running ecotourism camps in Ngumburuni Forest Reserve, Dima Island and Lugongwe Hill in Rufiji district; promote knowledge on climate change within the context of forest conservation furthermore, it is involved in research on Monitoring Carbon Stock changes to establish annual rates of carbon loss and predict future carbon stock in Rufiji forests. Previously, the NGO conducted a workshop on climate change issues to the Rufiji District Councillors and Management. The workshop was organized after the NGO attended a Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia.

Project Objective:

To promote sustainable conservation and utilization of forest resources in 9 villages in Rufiji district through capacity building and developing bee keeping as an alternative non-timber forest activity that generates income.

Implementation Strategy:

? Disseminate conservation education to local communities in 12 villages through village level meetings
? Establish and equip voluntary forest surveillance groups
? Promote bee-keeping activities as alternative non-timber income generating activities. Women will be given preference.
? Promote establishment of household level energy farms

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Pakaya Culture and Environment Group

Country:

Tanzania

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP4 - Y2 (Jul 08 - Jun 09)

Grant Amount:

US$ 26,504.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 22,538.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 10,602.00

Project Number:

TAN/SGP/OP4/CORE/Y3/09/06

Start Date:

12/2009

End Date:

12/2011

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Capacity - Building Component

Capacity building has been provided in terms of sensitization seminars, tranings, equipments and tools as well as forest survey and monitoring. This component ha significantly provided a remarkable motivation to community and community groups

Gender Focus

Gender focus has been a high priority in this project. Indeed women have shown more understanding and concern in all issues addressed by the project. men had conflicting ideas because they are the ones who are mostly engaged in destrying forests.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Indeed, the project has been promoting public awareness of the global Environment through topis pertaining to climate change impacts.

Planning gef grant

Not sure. If at all, I suggest that the plan should address the issues of establishing 30 gates and empowerement of 120 gate keepers in this forest covered by this project. it should also train people on good governance to 240 WDC members as a key to environmental and biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and climate change impacts reduction.

Notable Community Participation

Notable community participation has been observed in villages of Nyamwage, Mbwara, Utete, Miwaga, Ngulakula, Umwe North, Umwe central and Umwe South. They have demonstrated a high degree of committment in respect of forest Conservation, beekeeping and conservation of biodiversity. The spirit of tree replanting in affected areas is also high.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

The participation of indigenous people in this project is 100%. They are both the main beneficiaries and actors.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The training emphasized on the mainstreaming of the National Adaptation Program of Action whose focus is sustainable livelihoods in line with climate change impacts.

Policy Impact

The trainings emphasized on the mainstreaming of the National Adaptation Programme of Action whose focus is sustainable livelihoods in line with climate change impacts

Policy Influence

YES, the project influences various policies. forestry and Beekeeping policy is being influenced. Environmental policy is being influenced. Poverty eradication policy is being influenced.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

YES, the situation in Rufiji forest reserves call for the presence of financially capable local NGOs to work with the community. With this in mind, PCEG is soliciting funds from National economic empowerment Council for the esablishment of Sustainable Agricultural Centre at Utete and Sustainable Fishing Centre at Ndundutawa. Income generated from these centres will enable the NGO implement environmental projects without very much relying to donors. These projects are expected to commence in year 2011. Earlier, the forestry and beekeeping division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism had promised to provide about Tshs. 30,000,000/=. The process is going on.

Project sustainability

YES. The following factors are expected to sustain the project. (1) Trained VGS will carry on the task of safeguarding forests (2) trained beekeepers will advocate for forest conservation in order to use it for honey production. They will also take initiatives of replanting trees in forest areas which has been badly affected. (3) Trained tree nursery operators will advocate for tree planting campaign at household farms and water sources (4) environmental committees will slowly reinforce local by-laws on forests and other resource. (5) PCEG will continue to work with people in respectie 12 villages using its limited funds provided by members of the board and revenue from income generating projects.

Replication of project activities

yes the project is replacable.

Project Results

YES. The following project results have been observed so far.
(1) The behaviour of clear felling forests for charcoal burning and logs cutting business for export has declined. The scramble for land for agriculture and residential purposes is under control. Cases of massive forest burning have declined.
(2) Beekeeping practices to women groups in 8 villages with notable community participation is gaining momentum. Opportunity for poverty reduction among women is anticipated.
forests and water sources security has been strengthened.
(3) The practice of tree farms establishment is gaining momentum among community groups, institutions and individual persons.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of globally significant species protected by project 10

Biophysical

Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project 10501

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs formed or registered through the SGP project 12

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 72

Empowerment

Number of indigenous people participated/involved in SGP project 144

Empowerment

Innovative financial mechanisms put in place through SGP project 3

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with local governments/authorities 12

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with national government institutions 2

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 240

Livehood

Number of individuals (gender diaggregated) who have benefited* from SGP project 1200

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