eastern arc mountains forests of tanzania - Campaign for the ...

Eastern Arc Mountains Forests of Tanzania
WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAIN BLOCK
The West Usambara Mountains are found mainly in Lushoto District, but a smaller area also occurs in Korogwe
District. This mountain block ranges up to 2,200m altitude. The area is very highly populated with about 18,1011
distributed over 215 villages. Most land outside of government reserves and small scared forest patches is
converted to farmland.
The forests of the area are diverse and range from sub-montane to upper montane in type. These forests are of
a wetter type than those of the Pare Mountains further west. Common trees in sub-montane forest are Newtonia
buchananii, Parinari excelsa, Albizia gummifera and Allanblackia stuhlmannii.
Biodiversity
The West Usambara Mountains have high biodiversity value and support four strictly endemic vertebrates (two
amphibians and two birds) and another 21 vertebrate species that are only found in the Eastern Arc. There are
also 34 vascular plants confined to the West Usambara block. This high biodiversity value is also found in
invertebrates. Although biodiversity surveys are probably not complete, some parts of the West Usambara
forests have been well studied over the past 100 years.
Threats
In the past areas of natural forest in the West Usambara Mountains were converted to plantations, including
within the area being upgraded to the Magamba Nature Reserve. There have also been challenges in the past
from illegal logging, gold mining and farmland encroachment. Government is working to address these
challenges.
Core elements of the World Heritage property. Magamba proposed Nature Reserve (c. 8,700 ha), which
comprises the natural forest parts of the larger former Shume Magamba Forest Reserve (12,225 ha) .
Buffer elements of the World Heritage property. The closest reserve containing natural forest is Mkusu Forest
Reserve (3,674 ha), which almost abuts Magamba in a couple of places.
Other reserves in the West Usambara Mountains. There are a number of other reserves in the West Usambaras
that will take some pressure off the proposed Magamba Nature Reserve. These comprise 23 gazetted Forest
Reserves (Mzinga, Baga – I, Baga –II, Kisima Gonja, Balangai West, Ndelemai, Shagayu, Shume, Mweni
Gombero, Kisimagonja, Mahezangulu, Bumba Mavumbi, Kikongoloi, Manka, Bombo Makole, Baghoi,
Kwebagu/Hebangwe, Kwenyashu, Shambalai, Mtumbi, Kitara ridge), 11 proposed Village Forest Reserves in
Lushoto District (Mzongoti, Chambogo, Kwamongo, Kifulio, Dindira, Shukilai, Sekigoto, Yumbu, Mazashai,
Tanda, Deai). There is also one private forest, Mazumbai. and 3 Private (tea estate) forests (Ambangulu,
Dindira, Lutindi (KKKT)). In total around 20,000 ha of forest is protected in these ways.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism