Abstract:
Mangrove ecosystems play crucial role in protection of coastlines. Apart from this most people living
adjacent to these ecosystems depend on this resource to meet basic socio-economic needs and
livelihoods. Though Joint Forest Management has been practiced in mangrove ecosystem for a
significant period now little if any is quantitatively documented on the contribution of mangrove
products to the livelihoods of communities. This study aimed at identifying and assessing the existing
and potential mangrove products and their contribution to local people livelihoods in Tanga and
Pangani Districts. Specifically the study assessed availability of the products, extent to which the
products contribute to household income and other forest based goods. Socio-economic data were
collected in Chongoleani, Machui, West Pangani and Kipumbwi villages through questionnaires and
discussions with key informants. The Statistical Package for Social Science and Excel programs were
used to analyse socio-economic data and Content and Structural-Functional Analysis techniques were
used for qualitative data. Findings from the study showed, firewood was the major product obtained and
accessed from mangrove ecosystems followed by mangrove poles, fish, bee products and crabs. The
accessibility of the products is through permits which are obtained from the village environmental
committees and District Mangrove Officer. Males earned an average income of about
1 704
000 Tshs per year and females earned 3 027 000 Tshs per year from trade in mangrove products. On the
other hand the average income from other sources was reported to be 1 058 000 Tshs per year for males
and 958 900 Tshs per year for females. It is concluded that mangrove ecosystem have moderate
contribution to livelihood. The study recommends strengthening of local institutions and increasing
people’s awareness on sustainable utilization of mangrove ecosystems in order to increase positive
attitude on conservation and hence increase the availability of products, income and improve
livelihoods.
