The roles and accountability of forest stakeholders in decentralised forest management in Babati district, Tanzania: a case of Ufiome forest

This study was undertaken in Ufiome Forest Reserve to provide an understanding of the roles and accountability of forest stakeholders in decentralised forest management. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the main stakeholders and examine their roles in management of the Ufiome forest, to examine the methods used by stakeholders to conserve and manage the forestresources in Ufiome and to investigate the factors that have led to effective management of Ufiome forest. Multiple research methods were used for collection and triangulation of data. These included literature review, household interviews using structured questionnaires; institutional and key informant interviews, transect walks and observation as well as focus group discussions. Three villages adjacent to Ufiome forest were studied and a total of 102 respondents who represented households were interviewed. Only those households that were close to the forest were purposely selected. Findings of the study revealed that the major stakeholders involved in the management of Ufiome forest were the communities around the forest, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) namely FIDE, LAMP AND Farm Africa. The roles played by these stakeholders were guarding and patrolling done by communities, education on forest management and facilities provision by NGOs and building awareness on forest management through seminars and workshops. The NGOs have been playing a major role of sensitizing communities on the significance of conserving the forest despite slight challenges posed by the Forest and Government Authorities that demoralized them in participation and accountability. The methods used to conserve and manage forest resources in Ufiome forest are aforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, destocking, implementation of enacted bylaws and the use of alternative energy. Several factors that led to effective management of the Ufiome Forest were mentioned. These factors are implementation of forest by-laws, community inclusiveness, strictness of the forest committee, application of deterrent penalties, education and the use of alternative energy. The study concludes that community participation in decentralized forest management is very important. The inclusiveness of the community had led to effective management of the forest, although lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the government and some leaders are seen to limit their participation. NGOs in collaboration with the community brought about positive impact on Ufiome forest with improvement in its health and vitality. The forest however was likely to be negatively affected if the issues of collaborative management were not properly addressed. The study recommends that, the government through the forest department should ensure sustainability of the forest and its resources in Ufiome through implementation of forest laws as well as using community in managing the forest. Further, the government and other stakeholders should ensure the health and vitality of Ufiome forest reserve through collaborative management. Finally, workshops, seminars for the community and study tour for village forest committees should be emphasized and conducted frequently so as to build more awareness on the importance of forest management.