Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project (JCBCP), Tanzania
Case Study C0199
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| Date | November 2004 |
| Agency | UNDP |
| Donor/support agency | Department of Commercial Crops, Fruits and Forestry, Tanzania CARE International Jozani Environmental Conservation Association (JECA) Ford Foundation McKnight Foundation GEF |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | Tanzania |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the biodiversity of Jozani Forest and Chwaka Bay |
| Poverty reduction goals | Enhance the livelihood security of communities adjacent to Jozani Chwaka Bay |
Summary
The Jozani Forest Reserve has existed since the 1940s when the forest was logged and partly replanted to form a plantation. However, only in the early 1990s did the Government of Tanaznia recognize it as ‘biodiversity hot-spot’. The global environmental goal of Jozani-Chwaka Bay Conservation Project (JCBCP) is to conserve the biodiversity of Jozani Forest and Chwaka Bay, which contains areas of coastal swamp and coral rag forest that are unique as well as important areas of mangrove forest. More specifically, the goals identified by the project were: i) to protect and sustainably utilize the biodiversity of the Jozani Chwaka Bay; ii) to enhance the livelihood security of communities adjacent to Jozani Chwaka Bay. These mutually reinforcing goals were chosen based on the hypothesis that increased household savings and income will reduce pressure on natural resources and lead to the sustainable conservation of biodiversity, in the context of strong and environmentally aware community and government institutions.
The GEF-UNDP component of the project focused on biodiversity conservation through Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM), strengthening the communities’ natural resources and community organizations, training and infra-structure development. The Government of Tanzania, CARE, the Ford Foundation and McKnight Foundation focused on income generating activities (IGAs). The project, which began implementation in 2000 and was completed in mid 2003, has generated significant local livelihood benefits.
Conservation impact
Natural capital in the JCBCA has improved, as evidenced by the marked increase in number of various wildlife populations, coupled with halt in encroachments into the JCBCA. The conservation area was also successfully gazetted as a National Park in 2004. Improvements in community access to natural capital were evidenced also by increased access to ground water, woodfuel and building materials through agro-forestry.
Poverty reduction impact
The project has enabled opportunities for alternative livelihood activities in areas such as improved farming (mushroom growing), mariculture, agroforestry and ecotourism, which in turn has lead to increases in cash incomes and improvements to the ability to save and access capital. Social and institutional capital improvements were evidenced in development of community-level institutions, most notably the savings and credit groups. Access to clean water in the villages, health and education services were greatly improved. Human capital improvements were evidenced by the development of skills and knowledge for income generating opportunities, and co-management of resources.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 2
http://gefonline.org/projectDetails.cfm?projID=803
Related records above this one:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Organisation O0146)
- CARE International (Organisation O0010)
- Ford Foundation (Organisation O0023)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)