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The study was carried out to determine contribution of Nontimber Forest Products (NTFPs) towards poverty
alleviation and sustainable forest management in local communities surrounding Ngumburuni Forest Reserve in
Rufiji District, Coastal Region, Tanzania. Data were collected from three villages closest to forest namely Mkupuka,
Mangwi and Umwe North using participatory rural appraisal, structured interviews, focused group discussion and
participant observation.
A total of one hundred and sixty species distributed both in forest reserve and general land were recorded. Local end
uses of NTFPs including fuel wood, food, construction materials, medicine and traditional rites items were identified.
This indicated significant contribution of NTFPs to local community income and livelihood resilience and thus,
incentive for sustainable forest management. While access to NTFP is important to guarantee the socioeconomic well
being of the forest adjacent communities, their sustainable management has not been taken seriously by local
government officials and policy makers thereby contributing to reduction of biodiversity resources and irretrievable
loss of most species. To ensure the sustainable utilization of NTFPs from Ngumburuni Forest Reserve and similar
tropical forest environments, a number of conservation approaches are proposed. |
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