FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION - UNEP World Conservation ...

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ANALYSIS OF POLICIES AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FOREST RESTORATION
Policies analysis
Experience has shown that many of the causes to forest degradation and deforestation emanate from non-forest sectors,
such as agriculture, livestock, land use, energy, minerals and others. Effective conservation of forests therefore requires
cooperation of other sectors. To enhance, multi-sectoral cooperation in conservation of forests a total of 13 national
sector policies and three overall national development strategies were analysed using a pre-prepared logical framework
as a tool. Twelve FLR parameters were considered in analysing each policy and strategy with ranking of each
parameter at four levels ranging from: very supportive (++), quite supportive (+), neutral (0) and prohibitive (-).
The sector policies analysed are: Tanzania National Forest Policy (1998), Tanzania National Environmental Policy
(1997), The Agriculture and Livestock Policy of Tanzania (1997), The Wildlife Policy of Tanzania (1998), National
Fisheries Sector Policy and Strategy Statement (1997), The National Beekeeping Policy of Tanzania (1998), The
National Energy Policy (1992), The National Land Policy (1995), Tanzania National Policy on Women Development
and Gender (2000), The Mineral Policy of Tanzania (1997), National Tourism Policy (1999), The National Science and
Technology Policy for Tanzania (1996) and The National Youth Development Policy (1996).
Overall national development strategies analysed are: The Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (1999), The Tanzania
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2000) and The Tanzania Assistance Strategy (2000).
Analysis results of sector policies and overall national development strategies
All the sector policies reviewed have supportive policy statements on FLR but at different levels depending on sector
background. For example sector policies related to natural resource and environmental management, like forestry,
beekeeping, wildlife, fishery, tourism and environment have strong support statements to FLR as many of the FLR
parameters are already within the sectors’ policy goals and objectives.
Sector policy statements to some of the FLR parameters are provided to substantiate their support to FLR.
Support to forest restoration
All the 13 reviewed sector policies had very supportive statements on forest restoration. Overall national development
strategies are also supportive to forest restoration. For example the Tanzania Assistance Strategy (TAS) section 4.1.6.1
states that “Activities such as deforestation and extensive agricultural practices reduce the vegetal capital stock, the
water retention capacity of land and increase erosion. Protected areas have recently been encroached upon for
farming and settlement. Overgrazing, ground fires and felling of trees for energy, construction etc., reduce the
regeneration of plants and animals. Deforestation is estimated to expand rapidly at around 300,000 – 400,000 hectares
per annum. The end results are rapid depletion of the natural resources and people’s livelihoods, health hazards and
intensification of poverty. While it is important to address each of these problems separately, comprehensive solutions
call for mutually reinforcing interventions” TAS outlined key priority areas for solving the identified problems that
include conservation of degraded forest areas, promotion of traditional biodiversity conservation practices and
integrated conservation of coastal zone ecosystems.
The Tanzania Development Vision 2025 section 3.3 states that “It is also envisaged that fast growth will be pursued
while effectively reversing current trends in loss and deforestation of environmental resources (such as forest,
fisheries, fresh water, soils, Biodiversity) and in the accumulation of hazardous substances”
The Tanzania Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) is neutral or silent on management of natural resources and
environmental conservation. However, the PRSP identified key national priority areas for short and medium term
funding by government and donors of which natural resources is not included. Priority sectors selected by the PRSP are
education, health, agriculture, roads, water and judiciary.
Support to forest landscape approach
Six sector policies (forestry, wildlife, beekeeping, land, tourism and Science and technology had very supportive
statements acknowledging the importance of working/planning at the landscape level. For example the forest policy
section 2.3 emphasis on “Conservation of the country’s unique ecosystem and biological diversity, considering the