Rural livelihoods and forest reserves encroachment in Tanzania: a case of Biharamulo forest reserve in Biharamulo district, Kagera region

Abstract

The study on rural livelihoods and forest reserve encroachment was conducted in Biharamulo district- Kagera region. The general objective of the study was to examine the linkages between rural community livelihood and encroachment of forest reserves by the communities living in the villages in the vicinity of the Biharamulo forest reserve. The specific objectives were to study socio-economic activities of the community around the forest reserve; to examine the effects of the communities’ socio-economic activities on forest reserve; and to examine the approaches and strategies used to curb encroachment of the forest reserve. A sample of 81 respondents was taken from Lusahunga, Bwera and Butengo-Lumasa villages around the forest reserve. The methods used in data collection were documentary review, interviews through questionnaires and observation. The study established that forests are the major source of livelihood in the study area. Forests are the main source of energy for cooking and lighting. Forests also form a major part of livestock grazing land. Further more, forests are the source of timber and poles for housing construction. Lastly, forests are the major source of non-farm income. This situation has resulted in forest reserve encroachment including excessive tree cutting and destruction through bush fire. This endangers the survival of the forest resources. The current approaches used to control the encroachment of the forest reserve conservation. The study recommends the following measures to achieve sustainable forest conservation: The District Council should facilitate the villages to formulate, implement and maintain village land use plans, the District Forest and Agriculture Departments in collaboration with other stakeholders should facilitate and encourage crop farmers and agro-pastoralists to practice agro-forestry and woodlot establishment, financial institutions such as National Microfinance Bank, (SACCOS) and other development practitioners should interact with communities around the reserve to diversify their source of livelihoods, and the District Council should effectively involve communities in forest conservation activities and ensure that benefits from conservation activities are also accrued to the communities in the villages around the reserves.