UN-led REDD project praised for alternative income sources

The government has commended the UN backed Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) project saying other than the environmental benefits, the project has created alternative income sources for communities around forest areas.

This was said yesterday by the Deputy Min
ister for Energy and Minerals Charles Kitwanga when responding to a question by Ali Khamis Seif Mkoani Legislator (CUF) as to the benefits of the project.

 “A lot of money is dedicated to this project…I just want to know whether people living around the areas where the project is implemented have benefited since it was established in 2007,” the MP queried.

Deputy Minister Kitwanga said the REDD project was established with the aim of reducing the rate of carbon dioxide which lead to increased temperature.

He said the project is carried in 9 pilot areas of Kondoa, Kigoma, Kilosa, Kilwa, Lindi Rural, Rungwe, Muheza, Kisarawe, Shinyanga rural and Kahama districts and on the Isles in Chakechake, Wete, Mkoani, Micheweni, South Unguja, Centra and North B districts.

 Explaining he said villagers have been getting money from preserving forests around their areas, establishing alternative income businesses and tree planting.

However, experts have called on the government to resolve increasing forest quarrels between villagers in the project areas.
It was reported recently that residents of Muungano and Milola in Lindi district were in conflict over benefits from the project.

The dispute erupted after the Tanzania Community Forest Conservation Network (TCFCN) introduced a project on forest conservation in the area and announced that the village that will conserve the largest area of forest will get more money.