MISITU YETU - Supporting Communities to manage & benefit from Biodiversity forests of Eastern Tanzania
Project Description:
Like most communities in Tanzania, those that live along the coast belt and on the Eastern Arc Mountains depend heavily on natural resources to meet their livelihood needs. Many community members live at or below the poverty line. These forests are an important resource for surrounding communities and nationally important catchments for both water supply and electricity generation. Many of these forests are under threat especially those close to urban Centers.
A major challenge facing the country involves changing from short term unsustainable patterns of resource use to long term patterns. Forest Management partnerships between Government and communities (commonly known as Joint Forest Management- JFM) are increasingly recognised as essential mechanisms in securing the survival of these kinds of forests. Experience shows that Joint Forest Management can be a vehicle for greater empowerment of communities in decision making. A small but growing number of community based organisations are now involved in managing forests. By and large these communities operate in a vacuum of information and support. With almost half of Tanzania covered in forests and woodlands these community-based organisations will be vital to the future of the natural resources in the country.
