Socio-Economic and Ecological Benefits of Forest Reserves in Tanzania, a Case of Nambinga Forest in Ulanga District

• Published in: Russian agricultural sciences 2022, Vol.48 (3), p.219-226
• Main Authors: Ngwembe, J. F., Minja, G. S., Tegeje, A. J., Mkonda, M. Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural Soil Science and Agroecology; Agriculture; Anthropogenic factors; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Charcoal; Climate change; Content analysis; Data analysis; Data collection; Deforestation; Economics; Environmental impact; Forest resources; Forests; Human influences; Life Sciences; Local population; Nature reserves; Plant Biochemistry; Qualitative analysis
• ISSN: 1068-3674; 1934-8037
• DOI: 10.3103/S1068367422030089

Forest reserves have numerous advantages ranging from economic to ecological in various areas of the globe. Recently, there have been increased anthropogenic activities in the forest reserves for subsistence, commercial and ecological purposes. These activities are mainly done around the forest reserves as livelihood options. The present paper aims at (i) assessing the perception of the local population living near the forest reserves on the values of forest, (ii) assessing the anthropogenic activities done in the forest, (iii) examining the temporal changes of the forest, and (iv) investigating the social, economic and ecological benefits of the forest resources. Although this paper applied mixed approaches in data collection; it mostly applied household survey, key informant interview, and snow bowling approaches. Quantitative data were mainly analyzed through SPSS version 22, while qualitative data were analyzed through theme content analysis. The results exhibit that; more that 70% of the respondents are aware of the actual and potential resources of the forest, while more than 50 are harnessing the resources (e.g. firewood, charcoal, and medicines). In addition, the forests have numerous economic and ecological benefits including increased income and infrastructure. However, deforestation and impacts of climate change are some of the major challenges affecting the forest reserves. The findings of this study would provide useful information about benefits of anthropogenic activities on the forest and these findings would be made available to development planners of various ministries of various countries including Tanzania.