Browsing by Author "Mwapinga, Sikujua"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Implications of community understanding of REDD+ concepts for sustainable forest management a case of Lindi rural district, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Mwapinga, Sikujua
    The study explored the implications of Community understanding of REDD+ concepts for Sustainable Forest Management. Specifically the study focused on the concepts of Additionality, Leakage and Permanence. The study examined different measures of addressing Additionality, Leakage, Permanence and their related challenges in the study villages. PRA research methodology with both qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The results revealed that more than 90% of the respondents are informed of the REDD+ scheme. Also, 51% thought that REDD+ will benefits villagers in different ways ranging from improvement of social services like: - construction of schools, village offices, dispensaries, improvement of forest governance and forest condition in general. The community perceptions of REDD+ scheme was based on REDD+ tangible benefits from the carbon sale. However, about 40% claimed that REDD+ has stimulated inter villages conflicts, land grabbing and increase in wildlife such as: - elephants and wild pigs that damage the crops. Community living adjacent to the reserved forest were more aware of the REDD+ cost than community who were found far away from the forest. In addition 48% of the respondents were informed that Additionality, Leakage and Permanence as among REDD+ concepts to be addressed and verified before carbon payment. Apart from being informed, it was found communities still have poor understanding of the implications of these concepts and the possible future outcomes. Due to that, there is a great possibility for the villagers to cause more deforestation stimulated by the loss of carbon funds due to non-compliance with REDD+ requirements related to Additionality, Leakage and Permanence. There are number of ways which were adopted to address the three requirements ranging from conservation agriculture, the use of village bylaws, the use of alternative building materials, beekeeping and use of improved cooking stoves. However, there are number of challenges in implementing and translating the concepts from international level to local level. It was revealed that if carbon payments are denied due to the fact that Additionality, Leakage and Permanence are poorly or not addressed then deforestation and forest degradation will increase. The study recommends the adoption of a nested approach in the implementation of REDD+, in conjunction with continuous awareness raising and capacity building.