What is it all about in the conservation of natural forests in the East Usambaras?

The East Usambara Catchment Forest Project was initiated in 1990. The project's second phase was started at the beginning of 1995 and continues up to the end of 1998.

The main objective of the project is the conservation and the sustainable use of the forests so, that the biodiversity of the sub-montaneous tropical forests, and the quantity and the quality of water resources in the watershed of Sigi-river are maintained. Simultaneously, the local villagers' right to obtain their livelihood must be secured. The project is implemented by the Forestry and Beekeeping Division (FBD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) with financial support from the Government of Finland, and implementation support from the Forest and Park Service (FPS).

In a long run it is necessary for the preservation of the nature that a balance is found between the nature conservation and the needs of the local population. Continuous supply of fuelwood, building materials, and other forest products in addition to land use planning are decisive factors in order to attain the balance. Also, additional sources of incomes to finance nature conservation is vital. The project seeks means to increase the revenues attained from the forests without endangering the state of nature. E.g. more efficient utilisation of plantation forests decrease the pressure from the natural forests.

Awakening of international interest to the East Usambara mountains brings additional incomes. The unique sub-mountainous rain forests, the gently sloping tea fields and the idyllic villages offer possibilities to developing ecotourism. The East Usambara Mountains are also part of the colonial history of Africa. The agricultural research station in Amani which was grounded already by the Germans at the beginning of the century is part of the old manmade landscape. Nowadays the station is used for research of malaria.

From sawing to nature conservation Finland involved for the first time in the East Usambaras in 1977 - 1978 by carrying out a forest inventory. The inventory was renewed at the beginning of the 1980's. Development of the forest industries was then the focal point in development co-operation. Forests were mainly considered as raw material to plywood and sawnwood industries. Sikh Saw Mills co-financed by the Finnish Government started to cut forests following the management plan based on the inventory. Then it was believed that the sub-montane rain forests sustain the heavy logging methods.

In the mid 1980's the national and international concern on the effects of commercial loggings to the forests led to the termination of logging. Finland and Norway financed in 1986-1987 Amani Forest Inventory and Management Plan Project, which carried out a many-sided forest inventory and compiled a management plan for the forests in the East Usambaras. It was observed that the loggings had not been at sustainable basis, and that they jeopardised the existence of unique nature. The dangers were: decrease in biodiversity value, extinction of endemic species and the final destruction of the forests. The new management plan pointed out the nature conservation and the gentle management of watershed areas.

The plan served as a basis for the first phase of the East Usambara Catchment Forest Project (EUCFP, 1990-1994). The plans to establish the Amani Nature Reserve in the southern block of the East Usambaras were specified. Valuable forest areas were included in the Forest Reserves and the boundaries were marked. It was agreed with tea companies that their forests situated in leasehold lands are to be included in the Amani Nature Reserve. Extension and law enforcement decreased the illegal cuttings.

Changing the administrational status of forests from public land to forest reserve changed the user rights in those areas. In order to secure fairness and to avoid conflicts, the local population were given just compensation for losing their crops and fields. The forest officers working in the villagers were provided with better working facilities. The project also collected baseline information for monitoring of the changes in nature.

The Tanzanians compiled the Project Document for EUCFP phase II (1995-1998)

It was noted in the evaluation of the phase I that the local population was not involved adequately. The project co-operated with East Usambara Agricultural Development and Environmental Conservation Project financed by EU and implemented by the World Conservation Unit (IUCN). The tasks were divided so that the Government of Finland concentrated on supporting the management of the Forest Reserves and the IUCN focused on improving the living conditions of the villagers in order to decrease the pressure from natural forests.

The Tanzanians compiled the Project Document for the phase II and they are also in-charge of the implementation of the project. The local personnel of the project held numerous meetings with the villagers and other stakeholders. The planning gave them good facilities to implement the project, and strengthened the various stakeholders' engagement to nature conservation. Shifting the responsibility to the local civil servants reflects the new course of action in development co-operation. Presently, there is only one expatriate advisor working full-time in the East Usambara Catchment Forest Project.

Active communication and PR are necessary tasks in nature conservation. During the second phase the objective has been to bring the East Usambaras to public attention both in Tanzania and internationally. The communication materials include posters, calendars, leaflets. The channels used are press, radio, television and internet. The project also offers recreation services. There already are a number of representative nature trails in the East Usambaras.

After the termination of commercial loggings the gravest pressure to the forests are caused by the rapid growth of local population, and destructive cultivation methods. The same outcome could well be attained from much smaller area provided that more efficient cultivation methods are used. The project seeks and develops alternative cultivation methods to replace the traditional the slash and burn method. The villagers are trained in the relevant new methodologies.

Handing over the stick - villagers as conservationists

The principal target group of the project is 54 villages located in the area. The population of about 113 400 lives in the surroundings of the forests and the Amani Nature Reserve. In order to secure sustainable conservation in a long run, it is necessary that villagers' and other stakeholders' usufruct rights are secured and that they participate in the planning and decision making.

Seven pilot villages participate in the project's agroforestry programme. The contents of each individual programme are planned in co-operation with the villagers. Planning starts with sorting out the status quo of user rights. The objectives of the planning include: more efficient land use, improvement of living conditions, and decreasing the pressure on natural forests. The project finances the implementation of the plan as far as the activities concern forests. These include e.g. planting, beekeeping, processing of forest products, and marketing. Development of the cultivation methods and other activities are discussed with the local district and regional authorities.

Application of relevant agroforestry systems decrease the need to collect fuelwood and fodder from the natural forests. Also, they often decrease women's workload. The women in villages participate in agroforestry activities and decide often on which species are planted.

Six villages are managing together with the Tanga Catchment Forest Office the nearby forests located in public lands. The initiative to the co-operation has been done by the local communities.

The villagers are trained in conservation, forest fire control and management of village forests. The school children are told about the forests and the importance of conservation.

Another target group of the project are the 200 000 inhabitants of Tanga town, whose supply of water is dependent on the East Usambara mountains. Maintaining the forest and vegetation cover in the upper slopes of the watershed secures the supply of good quality water.

The civil servants implementing the project are also one of the target groups. Through formal and continuos in-service training they attain qualities and experience needed in a challenging task of sustainable natural resource management.

The versatile nature of the East Usambaras is important also in global perspective. External governmental and non-governmental organisations may help Tanzania in protection of this globally important asset. Conserving valuable natural resources is difficult for a country struggling with economical and social problems.

Amani Nature Reserve established in May 7, 1997

The Government of Tanzania legally gazetted the Amani Nature Reserve in The East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania on 9 May 1997 for the protection of the biodiversity and endemic plants and animals of these sub-montane rain forests. The legal establishment was published in the special supplement to the Gazette of the United Republic of Tanzania no. 19, vol. 78 dated 9 May 1997 as Government Notice no. 151 (Rules) and 152 (Declaration Order).

The establishment of a nature reserve in Amani, the area with most endemic plants, was officially proposed in 1988 by the Finnish supported Amani Forest Inventory and Management Plan Project. In 1992 the EUCFP prepared a frame plan for the establishment and management of the Amani Nature reserve (ANR), and in collaboration with the IUCN Law Centre the legal aspects of the establishment of nature reserves were studied. The survey and mapping of the ANR was completed in 1994. The total area of the ANR will be 8,380 ha, which includes 1,065 ha of forests managed by private tea companies under the management of the East Usambara Tea Company. It also includes the Amani Botanical Garden, which was established in 1902 and still is one of the largest botanical gardens in Africa. The official and legal establishment of the ANR was completed with the publication of the Amani Nature Reserve Declaration Order (Government Notice no. 152) and the accompanying Rules (Government Notice no. 151) in the Government Gazette 78 (19) of 9 May 1997.

The objective with the Amani Nature Reserve is as stated in the Rules is: 1. to protect the unique, biologically important sub-montane rain forest ecosystem of the East Usambara mountains, 2. to maintain biodiversity, genetic resources, natural processes and cultural values in an undisturbed, dynamic and evolutionary state in order to have an ecologically representative example of the Eastern Arc forest ecosystem available for present and future generations, scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and sustainable and controlled local and recreational use.

Presently Tanga Region lacks major tourist attractions although it is neighbouring the well known northern circuit in Tanzania with spectacular assets such as Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. The Amani Nature Reserve has all the potential to become an equally important attraction. If well planned, this can on the long-term bring considerable benefits both to the local communities in the East Usambara mountains and the Tanga Region. The project has since 1994 developed visitors and tourists services partly in collaboration with private companies. This includes the development of forest trails, trail guides, and signboards to direct visitors. Recently the rehabilitation of an old German Station master's house, which was built between 1905 and 1910, was completed and converted into the Amani Nature Reserve Information Centre. This includes a small six-room resthouse. A tourist map and a guidebook for Amani Nature Reserve and the East Usambaras is among the new information material being developed.

One of the major tasks of the EUCFP in 1997 is to prepare a management plan for the ANR. The planning exercise will involve the local people and other land owners and stake holders in the East Usambara area. The international status of the ANR will be upgraded; a Man and Biosphere Reserve or Global Heritage Site status will be considered. The Amani Nature Reserve may soon be part of the image that Tanzania presents to the world, and we hope that in the near future people abroad will associate the Amani Nature Reserve with Tanzania just as they do with Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro or Serengeti.