FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION - UNEP World Conservation ...

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EVOLUTION OF FOREST POLICY THOUGHTS
The Forestry and Beekeeping Division of Tanzania initiated efforts to revise its Forest Policy of 1953 and the Forest
Ordinance Cap 389 of 1957 in early 1970s with objective of including involvement of local communities in
management of natural resources. However, shortage of funds and rapid socio-economic changes in the country,
dragged the initiative to 1998 when the revised National Forest Policy was approved. Delays in revising the policy
were also caused by the need to consider various national reforms, international/regional conventions, socio-economic
and cultural changes that were taking place in Tanzania with influence to poverty reduction, improvement of livelihood
and management of natural resources.
For example, since the mid-1980’s Tanzania has implemented various reforms in the political system, economic
management and Government administration. In 1992, a multiparty democracy system was introduced and successful
multiparty elections were held in 1995. The economic reform programmes that commenced in 1986 have converted the
command-based economy into a market-oriented economy. Trade, exchange rates and interest rates are now fully
liberalised. The reform of parastatals has privatised/divested about half of the more than 400 parastatals. The public
service reform has cut down the workforce in Government from 335,000 in 1992 to around 270,000 in 1997. Local
governments have been strengthened through the Local Government Reform Programme.
Tanzania has recognised the importance of creating an enabling environment for the local community to participate
effectively in national development programmes. Empowerment of grass root institutions and communities is taken as
an important policy issue for promoting democratic systems and economic development. While gross economic growth
is necessary, it is however, important to ensure that it is broad-based and centred on improving the livelihoods of the
poor.
Since 1980 onwards, various international and regional conventions of which Tanzania is a signatory have been made.
Implementation of the conventions has necessitated revision of sector policies. For example, management and
utilisation of forest resources in Tanzania is taking into account global and regional conventions, agreements,
resolutions and recommendations of international organisation conferences and other programmes.
International conventions and agreements of which Tanzania is a member are: the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD),
Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
and the Kyoto protocol, United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), Convention for Protection, Management and
Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern Africa region and related protocols and
Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention). Regional co-operations of which Tanzania is a member with FLR
implications are: The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and The East African Community (EAC).
Tanzania having signed and being a party to the above conventions, protocols and co-operation, has the obligation of
implementing agreed initiatives and recommendations that include development of policies supporting sustainable
forest management and utilisation of forest resources.
Overall national development strategies had also emphasised the need for all sector policies to consider and take into
account, eradication of poverty, improvement of livelihood, mainstreaming gender, environmental conservation,
involvement of local communities and multi-sectoral co-operation in policy formulation and revision, aspects that
support FLR.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FOREST POLICY OF 1953
Specialists on forest ecosystem management and community development conducted in-depth studies to analyse
strength and weaknesses of the forest policy of 1953 and its implementation. The main objectives of the forest policy of
1953 were:
• To demarcate and reserve permanently all land supporting productive forests or capable of supporting productive
forest, which can best be utilised under forest production, taking into consideration other land uses. To manage
these forests efficiently and ensure a perpetual supply of forest products to the present and future generations with
surpluses for export where possible.
• To reserve and conserve all water catchment forests and land liable to soil erosion.