Introduction
The centrepiece of the Forest Governance Hearing event was testimonials from villagers and leaders of communities where forest harvesting is taking place in districts where the Mama Misitu campaign has made visits.5 The Mama Misitu campaign has spread messages promoting the participation of communities in forest management and the improvement of forest governance through increased education and awareness on forest rights.
Herein below are documented the testimonies of community members who have borne witness to the forest trade as it is practiced in Tanzania. It should be noted that a private sector representative of timber traders and entrepreneurs, who was invited to provide his testimony, became increasingly nervous about the tone of his fellow testifiers and the ensuing discussion. He eventually declined to speak during the testimonial session but did participate later during the plenary discussions.
Shomari Juma – Chairman of Kipangege Village Council (Kibaha District)
“From 2005 to 2007 we were provided with education regarding participatory forest management around Ruvu South forest. After being educated we understood that forest is not government’s property but rather the property of communities living adjacent to that forest. Since we were using many resources found in the forest without considering their sustainability, after all we thought it was government’s responsibility to protect the forest, which led to resources disappearing. Therefore, after receiving education regarding the sustainable management and utilization of Ruvu forest we prepared a forest management plan and by-laws to protect the forest.
It all looked to us like an experiment since we didn’t have an official agreement with the government. We were concerned about how we would protect our rights. In other words there was no written contract between us and the government regarding the roles, responsibilities and benefit sharing mechanisms. Nonetheless, we continued to benefit such as being paid twenty percent of the value of timber whenever illegal timber was confiscated. In addition we continued to benefit from other forest resources such as mushrooms and medicinal plants.
In 2007 an evaluation was undertaken of our ability to manage the forest. It appeared that our efforts were beneficial to the health of the forest. It was determined that the natural vegetation was recovering and that illegal footpaths through the forest had decreased significantly. We even began to see the number of wild animals such as water buffalo and antelopes increase after not having been seen for many years. After that we continued to protect the forest but we felt that our efforts would be in vain in the absence of a legal agreement with the government so our efforts were reduced from 2009 to 2010 at which time the health of the forest became very bad due to increased charcoal production and encroachment by pastoralists. Despite being encouraged by stakeholders we were demoralized.
When the Mama Misitu campaign and its stakeholders came in 2012 it resulted in raising our spirits and our desire to once again manage our forest. TFS has also been actively participating in the campaign by encouraging us to manage the forest but still we feel that their endorsement is not an official recognition. It is now a good time to have a legally binding contract between our communities and TFS that allow both sides to understand costs, benefits, rights and responsibilities”.
| Mr. Subira Juma – Secretary for the MJUMITA network (SHIWAMARU – Shirikisho la Watetezi wa Mazingira Ruvu) Kibaha District
“No animal can live comfortably without a clean environment, especially a healthy forest. Our elders worship under the trees. What is alarming is how people are now harvesting trees unsustainably even in important catchment areas where humans access drinking water. After the good information provided by the Mama Misitu campaign I now recognize that the responsibility to manage the forest is not just governments but rather is the responsibility of each stakeholder. It is important that everybody who witnesses illegal forest activities reports such activities to the relevant authorities. This campaign has brought a good relationship between TFS and the community. After all we are now even rewarded in a timely manner whenever we capture illegal forest produce. The sharing of benefits with government has been a big incentive since we are sharing products such as timber, charcoal, building poles and even money, which are the result of selling confiscated forest products.
The Mama Misitu campaign has been very useful because I have now realized that the Village Environment Committee had not previously understood their responsibility, it was not calling meetings and it was not providing people with feedback. I have understood these things after the campaign informed us about responsibilities and good governance. We have now been able to call a meeting and hold certain delegates of the committee to account. We have been able to question the Village Council regarding revenues and expenditures in connection with the forest. The Village Council itself has now requested an update from the committee on their activities and this report will be presented to the upcoming village assembly meeting.
While on patrol we were able to capture twelve bicycles, each one carrying two bags of charcoal. When we informed TFS they told us they did not have any transport and would not be able to come immediately to the scene of the incident. They then advised me to use any means necessary to report the responsible parties to the relevant law enforcement authorities. We took the contraband to the Village Council office but when we were distracted trying to communicate with TFS the Ward Executive Officer released the confiscated goods without consulting with us first. I took the decision to call our Mama Misitu advisor and he immediately called the Regional Commissioner who called the District Commissioner who in turn called the District Executive Director who called in the Ward Executive Officer who was made to apologize for what he had done”.
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