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Thisstudy examinesthe relationship between poverty1 and deforestation2 around
the gazetted forests3 of Kazimzumbwi, Pugu, Mabwe Pande, Kongowe and
Pongwe in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions. It examines pressure exerted on
the reserved forests by the nearby population and economic forces in the
surrounding towns.
The research findings show that, there is a profound and vicious-cycle between
poverty and deforestation in the studied areas. Low-income people dominate
the studied areas, where there is low investment in human capital (the majority
of the people did not complete even the primary school education). As a result,
there is low productivity in economic activities. Agriculture, for example is
done using poor methods such as slashing, burning, and shifting cultivation.
Many people in the surveyed areas have limited alternative, hence tend to rely
on easily accessible forest resources to earn a living. Incomes from forest related
activities seem to be stable and double the household income. Such a situation
accelerates deforestation, which subsequently reduces resources available to the
society.
Further, findings show that although legally reserved, the forests have been
exposed to continuous pressure for competing economic uses. As access to the
reserved forests, management of the forests becomes extremely important. Despite
the fact that the majority of the people have some knowledge about the effects
of deforestation, the knowledge seems to be insufficient, and is uncoordinated
and effected. It is observed in the report, that off-farm activities in the studied
areas have been rising. Returns from these activities do complemente those from
farm activities. |
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