Bio-diversity

Context: Mangrove forests are considered as critical habitats with great ecological and social economic values. Mangrove poles, firewood, charcoal production are leading extractive livelihood activities for the majority of the inhabitants of coastal villages. Since the mangrove habitat also provides suitable breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine living organisms such as fish, crabs and molluscs, fishing is also a major livelihood activity undertaken by most villagers. For more than a decade, degradation of mangrove forests in Zanzibar has been accelerating. There are a number of factors that attribute to this massive degradation of mangrove. However studies show that exclusion of local communities that live adjacent to the mangrove forests in the management and protection of these finite resources is the main cause for accelerated wasteful utilization of mangrove resources. About the Proponent: The Tanzania Association of Foresters (TAF) was registered as NGO in 1976. It is an association of professional foresters, with the following main objectives: (i) To foster public interest in forestry (ii) Provide forum for all engaged in forestry and forest industries (iii) Advance and promote the forestry profession (iv) Undertake innovative ventures related to forestry Project Objectives: To restore mangroves in degraded mangrove forest areas of Bumbwini-Mkokotoni bay by replanting of different mangrove species and promoting alternative income generating activities by involving local communities. Implementation Strategy: (1) Five sites will be selected to pilot the community based restoration project. Results of the pilot initiative will be used to replicate the initiative in other degraded areas (2) Public awareness on mangrove conservation would be increased (3) Village environment groups will be trained on planting and management of mangrove forests (4) Mainstreaming of indigenous knowledge on planting, management and conservation of mangrove forests (5) Promotion of bee-keeping as an alternative income generating activity to reduce over dependency on mangroves.

Tanzania