Abstract:
The study examined community perceptions and
willingness to accept and execute Reduced Emissions
from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)
initiative at Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves
(PKFRs) in the course of addressing the overriding
problem of climate change. The survey was conducted in
two villages' i.e. Kisarawe and Kazimzumbwi adjacent
to PKFRs. A total of 110 respondents were randomly
selected with a sampling intensity of 10%. Key informants
interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth
interviews using a questionnaire administered to selected
community members were the major techniques used in
data collection. Regarding community perceptions and
acceptability of the REDD+ initiative, the study revealed
low level of acceptance (16.2%), which was highly
attributed to low level of awareness on the initiative.
Poor governance and poor community involvement
in REDD+ activities were highly ranked as REDD+
perceived problems. Lack of livelihood options was
observed to be constraining factor behind community
support to the initiative. The study concludes that, for
the success and sustainability of REDD+ initiative
at PKFRs, robust livelihood options like training the
community on how to make charcoal out of dry leaves
are needed to be crafted at the shoes of the community in
line with educating the community on the rationality of
the initiative in their locality.
