Community Based Natural Woodlands Management Project (NWMP)

Country : Tanzania

Sector: Environment

Co-operating Agency: Iringa District council (Department of Natural Resources) with technical support from the Forestry and Bee-keeping Division in Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Duration: 3 years (Phase 1)

Starting date: June 1^st 1999

Overall Budget: DKK 16.140.000 ~ USD 2,3 Million

Description

The aim of the Project is to introduce and promote community based natural resources management that provides long-term environmental benefits by safeguarding the future existence of selected natural woodlands in Iringa District as well as directs benefits to the rural communities in line with the new Forest Policy (1998), the Wildlife Policy (1998) and the proposed Land Bill and the Village Land Act (1998). If successful during the first phase the Project will be extended into a second phase during which the experiences gained will be applied to other woodlands in Iringa region. During phase one, models for management of natural woodlands and local structures will be developed and strengthened for initially one village owned forest area and one national forest reserve. The management plans will be developed and implemented jointly by the villagers, forestry staff at district level with support from Iringa District Council and technical assistance from Danida.

By enhancing the villagers authority over the revenues derived from forest products and wildlife, both women and men of different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds are expected to benefit. The Iringa District Council – through its Department of Natural Resources – will play a facilitating and monitoring role and will, in turn, have it's revenue base improved through increased district cess from forest related products in the two pilot areas.

Major activities will include training of villagers regarding natural resources management plans; development of markets for products from the woodlands; gender awareness training and training on management of funds at village level. Training will be directed at different groups of villagers and in particular to natural resource management committees operating under the auspices of the village councils. Training will also be directed at the natural resources department staff at the District level.

Outputs

• Joint Forest Management Plans prepared and agreed upon by relevant stakeholders in 2 pilot areas and initial implementation under way;
• Village structures capable of assuring future natural woodland management; fulfilling the associated legal requirements and managing benefit sharing in a socially sustainable way;
• Substantial income realised in 2 pilot areas from marketing of natural resources to the benefit of all sections of the local communities;
• Community based micro-projects initiated in the pilot areas in order to relieve pressure on the natural resources;
• Community based monitoring, reporting and evaluation system on natural woodlands management established and functioning;
• Upgraded skills (qualified staff) in technical and participatory woodland management matters for relevant District and Divisional natural resources staff;
• Systems contributing to more effective Royalty Collection, focusing on forest and other natural resource products arriving at Iringa town for further sale established and operating;
• Arrangements with other organisations, projects and institutions established to secure improved monitoring and controlling of trade on natural resource/ forestry related products within the District.

Pilot area

The Miombo forests selected for first phase are:

1. Nyang'oro range (30.000 ha public land) in the Northern part of the district. The target villages surrounding this area area are Mkulula, Usolanga, Mangawe, Nyang'oro, Chamdindi, Ikengeza, Makuka, Izazi and Migori.
2. Kitapilimwa Forest Reserve (3.685 ha) north of Iringa town. Target villages are Kiwele, Mfyome, Kitapilimwa, Itagutwa, Kinywang'anga and Ikengeza.  

Management

The component is managed with the Udzungwa Mountains Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Component (UMFM) by the Joint Project Management Unit (JPMU). The two components are jointly named: MEMA; which is an abbreviation for the Swahili sentence: Matumizi Endelevu ya Misitu ya Asili (Sustainable use of natural forests).

Contact

Community Based Natural Woodlands Management Project (NWMP)
MEMA Projects
District Natural Resources Office, P.O. Box 148, Iringa Tanzania
phone: +255-61-702246, direct:+255-61-700175
email: memairinga@twiga.com