View/Open - Sokoine University of Agriculture

if Masugu seems to face most challenges it does not mean that REDD could not besuccessful here. In fact, overall, many seemed positive to the project.The different factors have an effect on the effectiveness of the resource regime, whereit can be concluded that its current use of forest is not sustainable in the long run.However, there are huge potentials for the community to benefit from the REDDprocess. Direct and beneficial effects can be associated with undergoing a land useplan. However, inclusion of all stakeholders must here be stressed.8.5.4 Wealth GroupsAs with location so do wealth groups need to be considered within REDD. Asprevious PFM efforts often has resulted in a decreasing poverty situation for thepoorest members in the community so does the same challenges persist under REDD,and as we see it, even more so. TFCG seem to have a consistent focus on capturingthe situation of the poorest. We found that although they are the least involved inforest use as an added income they still rely heavily on forest resources to cover theirenergy needs, and given their lack of income, they are less able to supplement orsubstitute with other sources of energy. If, as with PFM, strict rules under REDDwhich includes payment of licences or permits in order to collect fire wood, this willthen have negative effects for both the villagers in question if they are not able to paythese licences, and for the project if this means they will collect fire wood illegally.The low involvement in forest resource extraction might suggest a certain powerstructure in place which limits their access to forest products. This appears to be thecase particularly in Masugu where only the more resourceful households benefit muchfrom forest resources.They are also the ones that are best equipped against unexpected shortfalls throughtheir diversification of activities. In this respect, one has to bear in mind that inMasugu, the forest also acts as a risk management or coping strategy during hardtimes, and this is also becoming increasingly so for poorer women. The forests arethus of crucial importance to ensure resilience. In terms of awareness and inclusionTFCG´s focus on the poorer members of the society seem to have been effective andthey overall possess the same knowledge as the other two income groups and aregenerally positive to the project. However, perhaps not enough emphasis has beenplaced on the least poor in the communities which often have a very high and275