Sustainable Forest Management, Biodiversity and Livelihoods: a good Practice Guide

Local tenure facilitating forest restoration and poverty reduction (Tanzania) 

• CASE STUDY

• Source: PROFOR 2008

• GOOD PRACTICES

• The HASHI (Hifadhi Ardhi Shinyanga—Swahili for soil conservation) project supports restoration of ngitili (forest and shrubland set aside as traditional grazing and fodder reserves).
• Prior to the HASHI project, the forest lands of Shinyanga were highly degraded as a result of government (both colonial and postcolonial) policies, such as villagization and commercial coffee growing.
• The 2002 Forest Act permits forest tenure at the local level through Village land forest reserves and Community forest reserves; rights to use and sell forest products from ngitili are recognized.
• By 2004, at least 350,000 hectares of ngitili were restored or created in 833 villages, encompassing a population of 2.8 million. The estimated benefit per person per month of ngitili is US$14.

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