Assessment of charcoal supply and implications to forest resource management in Kondoa district

The demand for charcoal in urban areas is one of the causes of several environmental problems in areas where up to 90% of energy requirement are met from wood. This study assessed the charcoal supply to Kondoa Township Authority and its implication to forest resources. Different methods were used in data collection namely literature review, household questionnaire survey, participatory field observations, key informant interview, Focus Group discussion and physical measurement of charcoal. Findings from the study have shown that Kondoa Town receives charcoal from the villages around the township authority and most of charcoal suppliers are pedestrians who use head load and cyclists. Also, findings revealed that an estimated total of 103 bags of charcoal enter Kondoa Town per day where Changaa, Hachwi and Choka villages were main sources the charcoal to the town. This has negatively affected the sustainability of the wood resources in the area with more harvesting of wood resources mainly for charcoal than forest replacement. The study recommended the establishment of affordable and alternative energy sources to reduce woodfuel consumption, strengthening of community based-forest management, promotion of alternative income generating activities, agro forest and woodlot practices as important interventions, which aim to control environmental degradation, rehabilitations of degraded areas and improvement of forest resources