Lokina, Razack B.; John, I.
Description:
This study was carried to find out the impact of PES (Payment for Environmental Services) on
the welfare of the communities in the Uluguru Mountains. The aim of the study is to assess the
main objectives of the PES project which is to conserve the environment (forest) and reduce
poverty. The assessment of the project is done by looking on the difference between the
treatment group (those who participate in PES) and control group (households who do not
participate). The study employed a combination of questionnaire and field observation to collect
primary data together with a detailed review of literature. The study utilized Propensity Score
Matching (PSM), Descriptive statistics, Perception and Logistic analysis. In all the methods of
analysis the results shows that there is a significant difference in the poverty status between
treatment and control groups with treatment groups showing low level of poverty. In the
regression analysis it is shown that participation into the programme, age of the respondents,
the level of dependence on natural resources are found to significantly reduce poverty.