Community perception towards equity in Community Based Forest Management (CBFM): A case of Duru-Haitemba forest reserve in Tanzania

Abstract

Community Based Forest Management (CBFM), among types of Participatory Forest Management (PFM), plays a great role in conserving forest resources as most of governments in the world lack proper resources management. CBFM is also important as local communities feel themselves that the forest resources are part of their livelihoods. Equity in CBFM is an important aspect in sustaining the model. However, this aspect has not been largely researched. This paper intended to provide more information on perception towards equity in CBFM, which is scantly available. Duru-Haitemba Forest Reserve has been taken as a case study whereby a sample of 240 households was randomly drawn for this study. Household surveys using focus group discussion, transect walk, stakeholders' analysis and key informants methods were used to collect data. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The collected data were analysed using content and related analysis. Based on perceptions of villagers, equity is a situation of accessing or utilizing forest resources, participation in decision making and implementation of various responsibilities according to the appropriate agreements and deliberations of the community. The study concludes that the level of equity in CBFM was high at Duru-Haitemba. The study recommends stakeholders to sensitize and mobilize the local communities to enhance management of their forests.