Abstract:
This study was conducted in Nkasi District, Rukwa region, Tanzania, with the overall
objective of assessing the contribution of forest resources in improving the livelihoods of
rural communities. The focus was on various ways in which local communities in the
study area earn income through forest resources. Similarly, the study focused on the types
and quantities of the forest products and establishment of the contribution of the products
to household income. Primary data were collected from household survey in the study area
by using questionnaire, PRA techniques and check list for key informants. Data collected
during PRA were analysed with the help of local community. Content and structural-
functional analysis techniques were applied for qualitative data and information. The
quantitative data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
programme. The secondary data were obtained from the District Natural Resources Office.
The results show that indigenous forests provide various types of forest products with
substantial contribution to the livelihoods of the household. The forest products comprise
about 21% of the total annual household cash income. Likewise, the study quantified the
annually utilized forest products per household to be around TAS 186 815. The study also
identified endangered plant species orchids which is widely traded and consumed by about
63% of the sampled households. The study shows that most of the forest resource users
utilize forest products that require licenses. It was further noted that most of the users do
not acquire licenses. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that
contemporary forest management approaches such as Community Based Forest
Management (CBFM) and Joint Forest Management (JFM) should be employed in order
to ensure sustainable use of forest resources.
