People’s perception of participatory forest management and redd+ carbon credit opportunity: a case of Chome Nature Reserve - Same district Kilimanjaro region

Forest management in Tanzania faces various challenges including deforestation, charcoal making, fuel wood collection and forest fires. The aim of this study was to examine the value and viability of PFM implementation and REDD+ opportunity in enhancing the sustainability of PFM in Chome Nature Reserve in Same District. Various studies have presented evidence of increased illegal timber harvesting in Chome Nature Reserve (CNR), both before and even after the introduction of the JFM model. This is due to the fact that the people adjacent to CNR value more highly the benefits to be gained from the forest, like timber and minerals, and undervalue other PFM benefits like fuel wood and water. Illegal timber harvesting is still a challenge under decentralized forest management in Tanzania. The methods used to collect information for this study were literature survey, questionnaires, direct observation, focus group discussion and in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using SPSS and MS-Excel spreadsheet, which were presented in tables of frequency, percentages and figures. Most of the local communities (93.5%) were aware of PFM and its benefits but were dissatisfied with its performance and benefits. The major reason for this was the continued illegal activities in CNR, including illegal timber production and illegal mining, in spite of the presence of the PFM approach to the management of CNR. The study revealed that most of the communities (97.4%) were unaware of REDD+ and its benefits and so the interviewers were responsible for briefing them about it. About 83% of the respondents stated that they were hopeful that REDD+ could add value to the PFM approach. A good proportion of the community members, that is 58.7%, proposed that REDD+ benefits should be channelled to local development groups. It was found that REDD+ rewards would create a sense of ownership of forest resources by local communities and would improve law enforcement. As a consequence, REDD+ would enhance the PFM approach to forest management and reduce illegal activities in the forest. Environmental education and REDD+ issues are necessary steps towards building local capacity to engage in REDD+ activities. It was also noted that for the REDD+ strategy to succeed, the benefits from the envisaged carbon credit programme should exceed the benefits acquired from illegal activities. For an effective and well implemented REDD+ strategy, good governance issues has to be in place during implementation. Issues to consider under good governance are participation, equity, accountability, transparency, information flow, efficiency and effectiveness.