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

MANAGEMENT ISSUES: TANZANIA’S COASTAL FORESTS 2011
4.4.5 Pole harvesting and firewood collection
Pole harvesting is widespread in the coastal forests, especially in rural areas where they are used in the
construction of houses. The same is true for firewood harvesting, which is primarily conducted in the
rural areas and forms a major extraction in these areas. The levels of forest damage that are caused by
pole cutting or firewood harvesting are much less severe than for charcoal or timber harvesting, but in
areas close to rural villages they can form a significant forest use.
4.4.6 Climate change
Predictions for climate change in eastern Tanzania suggest only moderate changes, with temperatures
rising slightly and rainfall patterns tending towards an overall increase, but with potentially more severe
dry seasons and longer ‘short rains’ periods. The sea level may rise to some degree. Overall the impact
of the various climate change predictions on the eastern African Coastal Forests are unknown, but
available prediction suggest that they may be less dramatic than elsewhere in Africa (Case 2007),
although locally devastating in the case of rainstorms and associated flooding.
4.4.7 Lack of prioritisation
The Coastal Forest habitat type is not recognized as a priority for investment by the national
government, or the Districts along the coast. Typically these reserves are seen as a source of timber,
charcoal and other materials to supply increasing urban centres, or for export. This use is compromising
the globally significant biodiversity values, which are mainly found in the Forest Reserves being
managed by District authorities.
4.5 Coastal Forest Area Systems of Management
In this section, coastal forest management and current financial status in the selected coastal districts of
the main land (Rufiji, Kilwa and Lindi) as well as Unguja and Pemba are discussed. Issues discussed
include the coastal forest management systems; financing forest in the coastal districts and the financial
status; available finances for forest management activities in the coastal districts; financial commitment
for forest activities in the respective selected areas; actual annual central government budget allocated
to coastal districts for forest management activities as well as NGOs and other donors’ support to
forestry activities in the selected coastal districts of Tanzania.
In coastal districts, types of forests where central government, local government and NGOs are putting
more efforts in ensuring their management and sustainability were divided into different categories,
including (i) the central government managed forest; (ii) district council managed forests; (iii) village
forest reserves (iv) forests on public/general land and (v) privately owned forests. Sizes of the respective
forests based on the ownership as identified by the consulted district forest officers are given in Table
21.
Table 21: Total Hectares Based on the Type of the Forest Ownership in Tanzania
Type of Forest Based on the Ownership
Total forest in ha in Coastal Districts
Rufiji Kilwa Lindi Unguja Pemba
Central government managed forest 125,346 201,900 45,828 21,557 20,080
Forest on Public lands Ni 450,000 470,000 38,328 8000