Abstract:
Climate change is regarded to be one of the global threats leading into increased
temperatures, unreliable rainfall, unpredictable synchromes and storms. To date, efforts to
reduce impacts of climate change rely on Reducing Emission through reducing
Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives. Effectiveness of REDD
requires safeguards to encounter risks associated with REDD+ activities. Research studies
on safeguards in Kilosa REDD+ pilot project are limited. This study assessed the
effectiveness of social and environmental safeguards on REDD+ pilot project in three
villages involved in the project. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. A
total of ninety households were randomly selected from three villages. Content analysis
was used to analyze qualitative data while SPSS version 16 computer program was used
for quantitative data analysis. More than 94% of the respondents were found to experience
positive impacts of REDD+ activities on community livelihood contrary to 5.6% who
perceived differently. A proportional (60%, 56.7% and 16.7%) of the respondent in
Chabima, Nyali and Dodoma isanga respectively reported that the status of safeguards is
very good. It was found further that majority of the local community are aware of REDD+
initiatives and safeguard measures. Results on perception of REDD+ safeguards shown
that 55.6%,40% and 4.4% of the respondent reported that the safeguards are benefiting the
local people; safeguards benefit the project and other reported nil respectively. It is
therefore recommended that for successful implementation of REDD+ initiatives
safeguards are needed to encounter the community livelihood to be explored and enhanced.
Local community through safeguards should be assured on provision of appropriate
incentives and stakeholders' consultation.
