Neil D. Burgess, Paul Harrison, Peter Sumbi, James Laizer, Adam ...

SPATIAL PLANNING BASELINE: TANZANIA’S COASTAL FORESTS 2011
3 Spatial Planning Baseline
3.1 Overview
Protected Areas (PAs) provide the principal method for protecting areas of significant biodiversity in
Tanzania, and this is the key strategy laid out in the BSAP and National Environmental Action Plan
(NEAP) documentation, and explicitly stated in the National Forest Policy (1998) and law – such as the
Tanzania Forest Act (2002). The Coastal Forests were singled out as priority areas for conservation.
However, whilst Tanzania’s PA estate is huge, relatively little of the Coastal Forest (CF) resource is
adequately protected. Forests in Tanzania, including Coastal Forests, have been mainly protected by the
Forestry and Beekeeping Division (now Tanzania Forest Service TFS) of Government, through a network
of Forest Reserves (WCMC/UNEP 2006). Two coastal forests were recently incorporated into a mainland
National Park (Sadaani), and Zanzibar created a National Park and Nature Reserve for two more. The
Tanzanian mainland is also proposing to upgrade one coastal forest area (Rondo) as a potential Forest
Nature Reserves. More than 20 distinct coastal patches are still not protected, including areas of
recognized endemism and areas that would increase connectivity between reserved patches.
3.2 Definition of a Protected Area and the IUCN Categories
Protected areas are internationally recognized as a major tool in conserving species and ecosystems
(Box 1). They also provide a range of goods and services essential to the sustainable use of natural
resources, such as protecting watersheds and preventing soil erosion. Protected areas provide resources
that local communities and indigenous peoples may depend upon for survival, and can play a role in
maintaining cultural values. They are also important for scientific research and education, and can make
significant contributions to local economies.
Box 1: What is a ‘protected area’? (from Dudley 2008)
The IUCN defines a protected area as: ‘“A clearly defined geographicalspace, recognised, dedicated
and managed, throughlegal or other effective means, to achieve the long-termconservation of
nature with associated ecosystemservices and cultural values”.
In applying the categories system, the first step is to determine vwhether or not the site meets this
definition and thesecond step is to decide on the most suitable category.
IUCN protected area categories (explained in full in Dudley 2008):
Category Ia: Strict nature reserve
Category Ib: Wilderness area
Category II: National park
Category III: Natural monument or feature
Category IV: Habitat/species management area
Category V: Protected landscape/seascape
Category VI: Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources