Context:

The NCA (809,440 ha) spans vast expanses of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodland and forests. NCA is unique in Tanzania. It is a conservation area but also home to 70,000 people who live in or near the conservation areas. Majority of these people, are indigenous

Livelihoods of these people depend solely on tourism and pastoralism. Tourism has been heavily affected by COVID 19 pandemic. As a survival mechanism the inhabitants are resorting to using forest and wildlife resources as alternative livelihood means and ends. Under this project, four key strategies are envisaged:

(1) To strengthen community conservation committees so that they may stop degradation of forest and wildlife resources as a new source of livelihoods
(2) Support revival of eco-tourism since foreign and domestic tourists arrival is slowly returning to take shape
(3) Establish community-owned enterprises for alternative income generation
(4) Strengthen farming and livestock activities for NCA-adjacent local communities with the view to relieving pressure off the two forests

About the Proponent:

ANGONET stands for Arusha NGO Network. It is a regional network for CSOs in Arusha region. ANGONET was established in 1998. It was registered in year 2000 under the NGO Act. It has more than 80 individual NGOs and CBOs. Its mission includes strengthening of capacity of CSOs in Arusha region in areas of programming, advocacy, legal and policy environment. Areas of focus include: Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, Community Health, Economic empowerment of marginalized groups, good governance and people with disabilities.

Project Primary objectives

To protect forest and wildlife resources around NCA as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

Specific Objectives:

? Revive and strengthen community eco-tourism for income generation
? Establishe community-owned enterprises for livelihoods improvement on sustainable basis
? Streamline farming and livestock initiatives for NCA adjacent communities
? Build enhanced capacity of conservation committees for improved oversight roles to prevent illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife resources.

Implementation Strategies:

? Select for strengthening 10 existing community eco-tourism to mitigate effects of COVID-19 through income generation
? Establish 10 community-owned enterprises for livelihood improvement on sustainable basis. 7 of the enterprises should be owned and operated by women.
? Streamline farming and livestock initiatives by introducing ?agri-business? approach for NCA adjacent communities.
? Building enhanced capacity through training and equipment to thwart illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife resources