The
Tanzania Association of Foresters (Zanzibar),
P. O. Box 3526, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
E-mail:tafzanzibar@yahoo.com
Project Fact Sheet
1. Project Title: Sustainable
management and conservation of the Kiwengwa indigenous forest in Zanzibar,
through Mchekeni community participation
2.
Project Areas: The
Kiwengwa indigenous Forest (KIF) 3,323.5ha and Mchekeni Community.
3.
Project Implementer:
o
The
Tanzania Association of Foresters (TAF) – Zanzibar.
o Kiwengwa Forests Conservation and
Tourism Association (KFCTA)
4.
Project Supervisor (Affiliating
institution)
The
Department of Environment of Zanzibar
5) Project
life time: Twelve months (12 months)
6) Collaborating
institutions: -
o
The
District Authority
7)
Planned Budgets: USD $ 71,800.00USD
8)
CONTACT PERSON: Mr. Yussuf H.
Kombo [MSc.]
The
Executive Secretary,
Tanzania
Association of Foresters (Zone of Zanzibar),
PO
Box 3526, Zanzibar. Email: yussuf.kombo@hotmail.com
or yussufkombo@yahoo.com
Mobile:
+255 713 45 94 47 or +255 772 37 17 01
=====================================================
Encephalotus hildebraandtii under fire
Sustainable Management and
Conservation of the Kiwengwa Indigenous Forest in Zanzibar, Through Mchekeni Community
Participation.
1. INTRODUCTION
Zanzibar is part of the
United Republic of Tanzania and comprises two main islands, Unguja and Pemba
with 2,660km2. The
population on the islands is nearly 1.5 million, traditionally dependent on upland
farming, fishing and seaweed farming for their livelihoods. However, the
traditional lifestyle of the local population is under threat particularly from
climate change. Climate change has led to changes in rain patterns, species
invasion and extinction, diseases, changes in fruiting seasons and rise in sea
water. An addition effect is that supply
of freshwater from springs within the island and the project area is also
becoming unreliable while reservoir and caves are getting dry especially in the
proposed project area.
1.1
Location of Kiwengwa Indigenous forest
The Kiwengwa Indigenous forest has
3,323.5ha lying between coordinates 538000 to 544100 longitude and 9329900 to
9343700. It is the single largest existing natural forest found in the Northern
zone of Unguja Island surrounded by fifteen villages. The jungle is the single
most important catchment forests with water sources that sustain the villages
around the forest and tourism industry. It’s an important source of fuel wood
for the majority of the people in Northern Region of Unguja Island. (Map
attached).
1.2
Legal status of Kiwengwa indigenous forest
Kiwengwa Forest is one
of the key indigenous forests of Zanzibar, designated as a forest reserve under
the Zanzibar Forestry Act, No 10 of 1996. The forest is located on the island
of Zanzibar within the Northern regions and spreads across two adjoining
districts of North A and North B. A
number of key villages surround the forest. The main ones being Kiwengwa, Kairo, Kumba Urembo,
Pwani Mchangani, Kandwi, Upenja, Mchangani, Kilombero, Bambi and Pongwe.
1.3
Uniqueness of Kiwengwa indigenous forest
The forest is unique and is recognized for its
high biodiversity of plants, insects, birds, animals and reptiles with four
water sources in caves and more than ten dry caves variety of flora and fauna
species. The forest provides an important service to the surrounding
communities by providing freshwater for both domestic and livestock use.
2. rationale
2.1 National and International significance of Kiwengwa Forest
i) The Ecological Values of project area
Kiwengwa Forest Reserve
is one of the most diverse areas in the Zanzibar Coral rag zone. The reserve
harbors endemic and near endemic species. All these species need to be protected
and some of them may need special attention and conservation programs. Being
the habitat, species diversity spot and function as a water catchments zone,
the forest illustrates the need for conservation. On species richness, the
forest has a diverse flora and fauna. Species resident in Kiwengwa forest include
the endemic Procolobus kirkii (red colobus monkey), Cephalophus
adersi (Adder’s duiker), Sykes and Blue monkeys, Sunni antelope, a variety
of snakes and possibly Panthera pardusi adersi (Zanzibar Leopard). On
plant species, Kiwengwa forest has numerous species, which contain medicinal as
well as aesthetical values. Species from Kiwengwa forest are harvested as
sources of energy, and for construction purposes.
a)
Faunal values and endemism of
Kiwengwa Forest
Many species on Zanzibar and
Pemba have existed or evolved in isolation from continental Africa especial Mainland
Tanzania and Kenya for thousands of years. This has resulted in the development
of a number of endemic and near endemic species. At least seven mammal species
are known to be endemic to Zanzibar. These species are found in Kiwengwa
Natural Forest, namely
Scientific name
|
Status
|
Panthera pardus adersi
|
Endemic to
Zanzibar/found in Kiwengwa forest.
|
Procolobus kirkii
|
Endemic to Zanzibar
/found in Kiwengwa forest
|
Cephalopus adersi
|
Endemic to
East African coastal forests, Arabuko-Sokoke
forest in
Kenya /found in Kiwengwa forest
|
Cephalopus monticola
|
Near endemic/
Kiwengwa forest
|
Otolemur garnettii
|
East African
coastal forests endemic/found in Kiwengwa forest
|
Galagoides zanzibaricus
|
East African
coastal forests endemic/found in Kiwengwa forest
|
Rhynchocyon petersi
adersi
|
Endemic to
Zanzibar /found in Kiwengwa forest
|
b) Biological Richness of International Values
Kiwengwa
forest is a home for the endemic Red colobus monkeys, procolobus kirkii. It is third place to Jozani where these
particular species could be conserved in-situ. Kiwengwa forest is one among the
rich biological diverse site on the islands as it contains the majority of rare
and endangered species to be found within Unguja. Kiwengwa contains a wide
range of discrete vegetation communities, containing some rare and endemic
species. Coral rag forest occupies almost all parts of the jungle area,
enclosed by high forest and in some places and bush land.
The indigenous
forest being one of the richest ecosystems in terms of biodiversity in Zanzibar
is rich in plant species including Diospyros
spp, Pandanus, Elaeis, Eugenia spp., Vitex spp, few stems of Anthocleista species, Ficus species, Flueggea virosa, few stems of Senna
petersiana, and varieties of fern and climbers. The rare Burttdavya nyasica
which is in danger of being wipedoff is also
found in the area. Moreover, the forest forms one of the most important reserves
forherbal
medicines in Zanzibar.
Mr. Kombo inspecting one among valuable medicinal plant species (Senna petersiana) in Kiwengwa. the species faces over harvesting due to its importance in making herbal medication for Erectile dysfunction, abdominal problems and tumors
3. OBjectiveS of the Project
This one year project intends to
-
Conserve the biological diversity of Kiwengwa Indigenous Forest
through Community Participation so that to reduce degradation
due to encroachment, illegal felling of trees and clear cutting.
-
Restore the degraded areas by tree
planting so that to save the catmint and water sources that seem to dry.
-
Improve conservation awareness of
surrounding communities by construction of community center, school training
and conduct learning visits to Jozani and Masingini Natural Forests and parks.
4. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Kiwengwa Indigenous
Forest ecosystem (which includes Kiwengwa and remnants of Pongwe is an
important indigenous forest that provides protection to a number of endemic
species as well as act as an important water catchment on the island. Freshwater streams of Kikobweni said to be
one of underground water feeder for Kiwengwa caves. However, increasing
population around the forests, illegal felling of trees and unsustainable
agricultural practices has led to widespread destruction of large parts of the
forests. Limited awareness within the local communities on sustainable use and
management of the forest resources have led to over-exploitation with the
consequent loss in biodiversity as well as drying up some freshwater springs
and valuable flora and fauna species.
5. JUSTIFICATION
A number of studies of
confirmed that most indigenous forest serve an important role in protection of
local biota as well as water catchment areas.
However, due to increasing demand for fuel wood, land for agriculture
and development, and most indigenous forest have been cleared to pave way for these
developments. Vegetation clearing alters hydrological patterns disturbs the
vegetative and habitats of the wild animals and other creatures. Soils are also
disturbed through changes in soil texture, fertility, water retention capacity
and all other characteristics. This eventually leads to altered stream and river
courses, loss of biodiversity patterns and drying of water bodies.
6. PROJECT
IMPLEMENTATION
The proposed project
seeks to engage the local communities in the management of the forest together
with the local government, initiate efforts to rehabilitate the degraded areas
of the forest as well as sensitize the surrounding communities on the
importance and need to protect the forest from further degradation. A conducive policy and legislative
environment exists to support the implementation of the project through the
Zanzibar forestry policy statement No.5 which state:
“Reduce soil erosion and protect critical watersheds by promoting sound
forestry practices both within government and forest services and elsewhere”.
Support from Seacology
is sort to construct community training center at Mchekeni that will
significantly reduce illegal cutting and invasion into the forest. The support
will play crucial role in sensitization program. In return the communities from these villages
will undertake rehabilitation and restoration of the forest by planting
indigenous species in degrade areas so that to ensure sustainable management of
the forest with the collaboration of the local government. Forest experts, local government leaders and
community members from the surrounding villages shall participate in
sensitization program to raise awareness within the local communities on the
need to protect the forest from further degradation.
7. PROJECT ACTIVITIES
The project activities
are:
i.
|
Construction community training centre
(the center shall be a show place and training room for surrounding community
members, visitors and researchers)
|
ii.
|
Education material (banners,
leaf lets, booklets)
(This is intended to support training sessions, as demonstration
an results dissemination)
|
iii.
|
Demonstrating solar energy so that
to save tree cutting for cooking energy
(This is intended to expose the community member on new
technologies on energy saving. This will in turn saves wood based products and trees)
|
iv.
|
Community and Schools Conservation education sessions
(this is intended to awaken
and improve understanding among community members on climate change,
its impact and mitigations)
|
v.
|
Purchasing
indigenous tree seedlings
(To be planted in
degraded areas. Rare and palatable trees to human and wild animals
shall be
given priority. Thus will improve food availability for animals, birds and
other
jungle creatures.
|
vi.
|
Trainers and
technical consultations
(experienced and
qualified staff shall be engaged during training and demonstrations)
|
vii.
|
Restoration of
Degraded areas by trees planting
(Species such as
Sorindea magagascarienis, Ficus spp., Anna senegalensis, Eugenia sur, Senna
petersiana, Encephalotus hildebrandtii and others shall be planted in
degraded
areas. Rare and palatable trees to human na d wild animals shall be
given priority.
Thus will improve food availability for animals birds and
other jungle creatures)
|
viii.
|
Results
dissemination to ignorant
(Community around
the globe needs to know the steps and progress of the project. Lessons have
be disseminated so that international community’s share their ideas and
contributes into the process).
|
ix.
|
Project administration
and follow-ups
(to cover day to day project running costs)
|
x.
|
Notice and warning
boards to inhibit tree cutting
(This intended to stop people from cutting, hunting or setting
fires in the forest)
|
xi.
|
Community learning visits to well managed Jozani and Masingini forests
(Jozani forest is now a national park) Jozani and Chwaka bay national
park). There is enormous experience in Joint forest management and benefit
sharing mechanism .it the
world model and a robust mechanism of its kind. Masingini
is a biosphere Reserve with beautiful parks, gardens and nature trails in the
Zanzibar City Park. Both two areas are
best place for beginners to learns and
experience role of trees in ciliate change
amelioration, national economy,
aesthetics and health).
|
xii.
|
Promoting alternative income generation (Ecotourism, One apiary for Beekeeping)
(Solar energy for heating and light is a cheap and affordable
alternative to wood base
energy. This activity is mainly intended to exposé)
|
xiii.
|
Monitoring and evaluation
(The aim is to assess step by step on project progress and
evaluate the intermediate and
the end results)
|
 | ||||
| the Former director of forestry Mr. Sheha Hamdani (in white shirt) inspecting the burnt areas. |
 |
| Forest Fire |
 |
| Forest Fire |
8. PROJECT DURATION: 12 Months
9. BANKERS’ DETAILS
BANK ID (BANK NAME)
|
KCB (TANZANIA) LIMITED OR
KCB (T) ltd
|
BRANCH ID (BRANCH NAME)
|
STONE TOWN BRANCH
|
SWIFT CODE
|
KCBLTZTZ
|
CORRESPONDENT BANKER
|
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY (BITCO)
|
CUSTOMERS NAME
|
TANZANIA ASSOCIATION OF FORESTES
(ZANZIBAR)
|
ACCOUNT NAME
|
TANZANIA ASSOCIATION OF FORESTERS
–TAF (ZANZIBAR)
|
CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT NO
|
3300159040
|
EMAIL
|
|
PHYSICAL ADRESS
|
MALINDI CINE AFRIQUE BUILDING
(MALINDI SIMBA CHAI)
|
