FORESTS are one of the major sources of income for residents of Liwale District in Lindi Region. A large area of this district, which has 76 villages, is surrounded by forests, of which part are owned by villagers and the district council as well as the Selous and Nyerere National Parks.

The forests which are part of the larger Miombo woodlands are home to diverse plant and animal species playing a critical role in sustaining local communities through resources like timber, firewood and honey. Liwale District has 2.5 million hectares designated specifically for timber harvesting.

Through the formation of village forest reserves community members sustainably use resources under regulated conditions.

Most villages in the district are located within the Selous-Niassa corridor, which results in 64 out of the 76 villages facing the challenge of Human-Wildlife Conflicts (HWC).

Deogratius Simwanza, Liwale District Natural Resources Officer, told members of the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) that the area has successfully conserved its forests, with villagers, including women, being directly involved in conservation activities.

Journalists visited the district as part of their engagement in the Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflict project, which is being implemented by the German Development Agency (GIZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. The project aims to address challenges between local communities and wildlife, particularly in areas where agricultural activities and wildlife habitats overlap.

“Forests are one of the main sources of income in Liwale; we have developed conservation plans in place, but we are also engaging in sustainable harvesting to ensure this resource remains available and benefit both the current and future generations,” said Simwanza, adding that timber harvesting is also expected to begin in the council forests this year.

Explaining, he stated that last year the district collected 2.9bn/- as revenue from forest resources. He said that once villages harvest forest products, 50 percent of the revenue remains at the village while 35 percent is directed to conservation activities and 10 percent taken to the district.

Liwale is one of the districts where all its forests are covered by native trees; he said adding that buyers prefer two types of trees which are ‘Mninga’ and ‘Mkongo’. A few of them would ask for ‘Mtonddoro’, he added.

According to Simwanza, villagers are also set to benefit with carbon trade as the district has already entered into a contract with an investor—Village Climate Solution which is part of the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG).

“This is another source of income coming from our forest, we have reached a good step and we are expecting to start receiving fund after three years. We are also conducting research to identify more villages that could be included in the plan,” said Simwanza, calling upon other investors to invest in trade as there are many forests.

He said stringent laws have been put in place to control forest destruction whereas patrols are conducted ten times per month. He said the only challenge they are facing is forest fires whereas most villagers burn forest as part of their traditional customs as well as cleaning farms.

At Mtawatawa, the Village Executive Officer, Haji Makame Haji said the village has recorded a number of successes in forest conservation activities whereas the funds received are directed on implementation of development projects.

He said the village has been able to construct an office at a cost of 68m/- and that construction of a 46m/- maternal ward is ongoing to ensure expectant mothers get quality services during delivery. He said the village has also constructed six classrooms with support from the district authority.

“Timber harvesting is one of the major businesses here, we have purchased a 76m/- timber processing machine where people from other villages would also use it. With the machine, we are expecting to get more money,” he added, noting the village contributes not less than 50m/- to the district annually.

Makame said Mtawatawa collects 300m/- each year from harvested forest products, the number which is small compared to estimated revenue of 3bn/- per year. He said the available forest resources can be harvested for 30 years to come. Mtawatawa’s village forest measures 12,092 hectares.

He added: “Conservation activities pays off; we are also planning to purchase an ambulance this financial year to facilitate transport services for patients as the hospital is 45 kilometers far from our village. Starting next financial year we will be allocating 10 percent of our revenues for issuance of low interest loans to villagers”, said Makame, noting the ambulance is expected to arrive in December this year.

Zakia Mlongo, Mtawatawa resident said that it is through conservation activities their livelihoods have improved. She said construction of the maternity ward would improve health care services.

Hajra Wadi is also a resident of the village, she said decisions by the village government to offer low interest loans would help traders to expand their businesses, and ultimately have their livelihood improved.