FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION - UNEP World Conservation ...

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) is a joint initiative of WWF and IUCN – The World Conservation Union. FLR is a
planned process that aims to regain ecological integrity and enhance human well being in deforested or degraded forest
landscapes. Key aspects of FLR that make it unique are that:
• It focuses on restoring forest functions as opposed to simply increasing tree cover with a particular emphasis on
the relationship between various functions within different areas of the landscape. Restoring forests means much
more than planting trees.
• The services provided by a restored forest landscape include soil stabilisation, local climate regulation, food
security, biodiversity conservation and wildlife habitat.
• Forest landscape restoration also involves a range of diverse stakeholders from small landowner to government.
• It also requires informed consensus by stakeholders, resulting in an acceptable balance between increased
ecological integrity and enhanced human well being.
Efforts of restoring forests are not new in Tanzania, however restoration of forests within the aspects of FLR outlined
above is a new working concept in natural resources management with emphasis on restoring forest functions and
ensuring ecological integrity and enhanced human well being. In order to identify instruments for successful adoption
of FLR in the Eastern Africa Region, WWF and IUCN have initiated studies in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda,
of which this report is a component of the ongoing studies, covering Tanzania.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of the study is to contribute to enhanced human well being and sustainable environmental
conservation. Specific objectives of the study are:
• Investigate the existing status and dynamics of forest resources and the historical trends in perception of
stakeholders/decision-makers of forest functions and how this impacts human well/being.
• Identify and analyse the relationships and linkages of the FLR concept with national priorities i.e. the Tanzania
Development Vision 2025, Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) the Tanzania Assistance Strategy (TAS) etc.
• Analysis of strengths and weaknesses of broader national policy instruments and legal framework – and areas in
which it does and does not support FLR.
• Analysis of strengths and weaknesses of existing initiatives, with specific relation to the key principles of FLR,
where gaps lie and relevant lessons that have already been learned.
• Identify ways in which national reality can enrich and fine tune FLR as a concept – and in particular as a concept
which is appropriate for the region.
• Based on national experiences, provide strong arguments for the importance of, need for and relevance of FLR for
the region.
Methodology used to conduct the study included inception workshop by regional and international experts, literature
review, consultations/interviews and field studies to specific ongoing forestry projects in Coast, Lindi and Kilimanjaro
regions.
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NATIONAL OVERVIEW
Tanzania is located along latitude 1 0 -12 0 South of Equator, Longitude 29 0 – 41 0 East of Greenwich. The total area of
Tanzania is 945,000 km 2 of which 62,000 km 2 are water bodies. The total land area of Tanzania mainland is 881,000