Amani Butterfly Project
Case Study C0235
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG) |
| Donor/support agency | GEF SGP |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Tanzania |
| Locality | Amani Nature Reserve, Muheza, Tanga |
| Biodiversity focus | Forest ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Promote forest conservation in and around the Amani Nature Reserve |
| Poverty reduction goals | Promote butterlfy farming as a means for poverty reduction |
Summary
The East Usambara Mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, which are recognized worldwide as a global biodiversity hotspot and an endemic bird area. However, of late the East Usambara have been subjected to unsustainable pressure by adjacent communities. The underlying cause of this unsustainable pressure is that communities around these biodiversity rich forests are growing and are mainly dependent on a land based-economy. The proposed Amani Butterfly project will provide a direct economic incentive for communities to preserve local buffer forests and to resist illegal resource extraction from forest reserves. Since land requirements for butterfly farming are very small, any person from the forest adjacent communities can participate including women and youth. This project aims at promoting forest conservation and poverty reduction through butterfly farming in and around Amani Nature Reserve, Muheza, Tanga.
Conservation impact
Farmers have learnt that protection of forests with globally significant biodiversity is important and have lessend their pressure on the forest reserve.
Poverty reduction impact
Community members were trained not only in butterfly farming, but also in finance management and processing for export trade, so they can participate in the management of the project. Community memebers were organised in butterfly farmers groups, which provide equal opportunity for all community members. The project generates income, which has been critical for improvement of local peoples' livelihoods: a market demand for butterflies of US $60,000 has been secured, and in the future it is expected to exceed US $100,000.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://sgp.undp.org/index.cfm?Module=Projects&Page=ShowProject&ProjectID=6746
Related records above this one:
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)