Community perceptions and willingness to accept and execute REDD+ initiatives: the case of Pugu and Kazimzumbwi forest reserves

The study examined community perceptions and willingness to accept and execute REDD+ initiative at Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves (PKFRs) in the course of addressing the overriding problem of climate change. The survey was conducted in two villages’ i.e. Kisarawe and Kazimzumbwi adjacent to PKFRs. A total of 110 community representatives were randomly selected with a sampling intensity of 10%. Key informants interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews using a standard questionnaire administered to selected community members were the major techniques used in data collection complemented by literature review from other studies. The study established that, community dependence on forest resources is very high since large proportion of community representatives 42.2% owes their livelihoods from forest resources. It was further observed that, the level of awareness of the community on REDD+ initiative was considerably low, about 76% were completely unaware. On community perceptions and acceptability of the initiative, the study revealed low level of acceptability 16.2%, which was highly attributed to low level of awareness on the initiative. Poor governance and poor community involvement in REDD+ activities were highly ranked REDD+ perceived problems. Lack of livelihood option was observed to be the mega constraining factor behind community support to the initiative. The study concludes that, for the success and sustainability of REDD+ initiative at PKFRs, robust livelihood options like imposing alternative sources of charcoal to the community are needed to be crafted at the shoes of the community in line with educating the community on the rationality of the initiative in their locality.