Context:
Tanzania Government have been trying hard, over the ages, to rectify national policy for environmental conservation of 1997 and Forest Act (2002) for Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in Tanzania which supports various interventions to rescue the worse situation of forests. However, deforestation rates in Tanzania including natural forest especially in no conserved forests) are quite high. Out of 641,900 Hectares of Monduli district, Forest Reserves covers 23,022. The proposed project aimed at improving conservation and management of 3,689 hectares of Lendikinya forest and Nanja lengai water dam around Sepeko ward in Kisongo division. Sepeko ward is comprised of four (4) villages and 14 sub- villages with estimated population of 8000 people whose main livelihood activities includes livestock keeping and farming. The ward is blessed with forest which host wildlife, natural water sources. Lendikinya forest provides the richest ecosystems within Monduli district and it is a source of numerous natural resources which support the livelihood of 22,000 community members in Monduli district. Despite having the forest around the local community particularly women and youth are suffering from low income, lack of proper income generation activities, limited/low participation in decision making platforms as well as over reliance on local natural resources due to lack of alternative sources of energy such as biogas, energy saving stoves. Therefore, the proposal aims at encouraging effective management of natural resources within these local communities whilst enhancing their livelihoods.

About the Proponent:
BAWAKIMO is a women-led Community Based Organization established in 2015 with registration number 164/2015. BAWAKIMO was formed with objectives of raising and improving grassroots women?s economic and social life as a response to address environmental, climate change issues and poverty facing pastoralist women in Monduli district
Since its establishment, BAWAKIMO members took lead in addressing climate change impacts around Monduli district by planting trees in public spaces and hazardous areas to address climate change effects and environmental management. Women were sensitized to plant trees around their homestead as well as a means of protecting their surrounding environments from climate change effects.
The networks brought together women from various wards to engage into income generating activities collectively and individually to address poverty among pastoralist?s women in Monduli district. Some income generating activities women are engaged with include buying and selling of goats, cows, chicken, crops, beads, traditional wears.

Project?s Primary Objective:

Improved income and livelihoods of indigenous communities surrounding Lendikinya forest through support improved forest natural eco-system practices to benefit 4750 indigenous communities members including 2800 women pastoralist women by May 2022