The forests - being unique in Tanzania with range of endemics in both flora and fauna; which harbors from little skink toads in the slopes of the Eastern Usambara to large palearctic monsters - the elephants in the miombo woodlands of the great Ruvuma-Selous.
However, forests are the least assets next to land which can be freely accessed by the majority for meeting daily needs and cushioning the abject poverty of the rural majority poor. The needed energy for cooking food for more than 80% in semi and urbans, the lucrative and unregulated timber trade which benefits minority and slash and burn for agricultural productions; all goes at the expense of forests which are estimated at 1,000 ha per day.
With more than USD 650 millions per year economic contributions to the country, the charcoal value chains are unknown and less gets to the bigger money pot of the country - the treasury.
The domestic and cross border timber trade are enormous, again accounting more than USD 20 million at the northern Kenya and Tanzania border alone (TNRF report 2013). For example, according to Lukumbuzya and Sianga (2017); Kenya, India and China are Tanzania's most important export destinations for timber, accounting for more than 70% of the value of Tanzanian's over the past 10 years.
Wake up call
As we loose much - urgent action are inevitable from local to national levels. Regional collaboration is important for addressing regional network trade and bloc agreement are called up for action. Forest agencies and institutions of the East African governments are in forefront in addressing some of the challenges and operationalization of bilateral agreements. However, strong forest policies which are proactively engaging people and giving space for rights to the people are recommended.
However, forests are the least assets next to land which can be freely accessed by the majority for meeting daily needs and cushioning the abject poverty of the rural majority poor. The needed energy for cooking food for more than 80% in semi and urbans, the lucrative and unregulated timber trade which benefits minority and slash and burn for agricultural productions; all goes at the expense of forests which are estimated at 1,000 ha per day.
With more than USD 650 millions per year economic contributions to the country, the charcoal value chains are unknown and less gets to the bigger money pot of the country - the treasury.
The domestic and cross border timber trade are enormous, again accounting more than USD 20 million at the northern Kenya and Tanzania border alone (TNRF report 2013). For example, according to Lukumbuzya and Sianga (2017); Kenya, India and China are Tanzania's most important export destinations for timber, accounting for more than 70% of the value of Tanzanian's over the past 10 years.
Wake up call
As we loose much - urgent action are inevitable from local to national levels. Regional collaboration is important for addressing regional network trade and bloc agreement are called up for action. Forest agencies and institutions of the East African governments are in forefront in addressing some of the challenges and operationalization of bilateral agreements. However, strong forest policies which are proactively engaging people and giving space for rights to the people are recommended.
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