Impacts of tree planting on the livelihood of communities in Unguja, Zanzibar

This study was undertaken in Pete and Chaani villages in Unguja, Zanzibar. The main objective of the research was to understand the extent to which tree planting in individual woodlots and forest plantations has benefited the rural people, and hence improved their livelihoods. The methodology used in the study involved review of secondary data, structured questionnaire interviews, informal interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS for windows) was used to analyse data, which were then summarized in frequencies and percentages, and presented in tables for easy comparisons. Simple cross tabulation was made in order to establish re'ationships among variables. Chi-square test was used to test the relationship between tree planting and income on one hand, and tree planting and access to fuelwood and poles on the other hand. The results of this study showed that tree planting has increased income of the rural people. Ninety six percent of respondents relied on tree planting and extraction of forest products as a source of income, which was then used to buy food, clothes, paying for treatment and school fees. Tree planting has also increased access of rural people to fuelwood and poles. This has reduced time and distance in search for fuel wood and poles, and has also led to improvement in housing. The study suggests that intervention measures such as provision of education, training, extension services and credits to all villagers engaging in tree planting are of paramount importance.