Charcoal production and its implication to forest resources and environment a case study of Mtamba and Kifuru villages in Kisarawe district Tanzania
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Date
2015
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study was conducted in Mtamba and Kifuru villages aim to examine the implication of charcoal production on forest resources and environment. The study focused on examine charcoal production source, process and technologies, its implication to forest resources and environment, efforts undertaken towards addressing problems associated to charcoal production as well as their major constraints. The study employed different methods in data collection including literature review, questionnaire survey, FDGs, direct observations and key informant interviews. A total of 76 households were selected during household survey. The study justified that earth pit kiln method as major technique used in the study area was very inefficient as it consumes a lot of fuel wood with low returns. The study also portrayed that charcoal production influenced changes in structure and composition of forests as most of the areas inside the forest were open with very little vegetation cover. Furthermore there was disappearance of trees species especially those preferred for charcoal production and destruction of animal habitats as well as water catchment areas. The study recommended that community involvement in managing forest resources should be highly addressed so as to increase efficiency on management mechanism. Also the government should ensure best cost and benefit sharing mechanism to local communities as well as enforcement of laws and regulations. The study concluded that even though there were several efforts which have been undertaken by the government to address the problem, majority depends on charcoal as source of income with less diversified livelihoods that have negative implication to the forest resources and environment in general.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark
(THS EAF SD418.3.T34K56)
Keywords
Deforestation, Forests and forestry, Tanzania, Charcoal industry, Charcoal burners, Environmental aspects, Mtamba village, Kifuru village, Kisarawe district
Citation
Kinabo, C.P. (2015) Charcoal production and its implication to forest resources and environment a case study of Mtamba and Kifuru villages in Kisarawe district Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam