Browsing by Author "Jambiya, G."

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Impact of charcoal extraction to the forest resources of Tanzania: The case of Kitulangalo area, Tanzania
(CHAPOSA, 2014) Malimbwi, R. E.; Misana, S.; Jambiya, G.; Zahabu, E.
Research is being undertaken to expand the knowledge about the biomass potential for supplying charcoal to urban centres and find workable policy tools that will enable sustainable production and use of charcoal in the medium term perspective. The project, CHAPOSA (Charcoal Potential in Southern Africa) focuses on the dynamics of charcoal production in supply areas (mainly woodlands) and its consumption in three major cities: Lusaka, Zambia, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Maputo, Mozambique. The three year research project is funded by European Union (EU) and co-ordinated by Stockhom Environmental Institute (SEI). In each of the three partner countries, socio-economic and ecological aspects of charcoal are being studied in the supply areas and charcoal consumption and market forces studies are being undertaken in the cities. Preliminary results on the supply side are presented for Tanzania in this paper. At Kitulangalo one of the charcoal supplying areas in Tanzania, an average charcoal making household produce 43 bags of charcoal per month, charcoal is sold at kiln site at Tshs. 1,000/= per bag. The household realizes an income of Tshs. 43,000/= per month. This income is above the minimum salary rates paid currently to government workers and hence attracts more people to join the business. There are 7 trees of about 10 cm dhb for every 22 bags of about 50 kg of charcoal produced from this area. The mean charcoal kiln efficiency of 23.5% was found. Preferred tree species for charcoal includes, Julbernadia globiflora, Brachystegia boehmii, Tamarindus indica, Acacia nigresces, Acacia gerrardii, Acacia nilotica, Combretum adenogonium, Combretum molle, Combretum zeyheri, Boscia salicifolia, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Terminanalia mollis, Pteleopsis myrtifolia,Combretum collinum, Diospyros kirkii, Xeroderris stuhrmanii, Mimusops kummel, Albizia harvey, Acacia goetzei subsp. Goetzei, Lonchocarpus capassa and Mhungilo. Standing wood volume and basal area of these species are lower in public lands compared to forest reserves while stem numbers shows a reversed trend suggesting regeneration of these species in public lands. The public lands at roadside are dominated by large trees of Acacia polyacantha, a pioneer tree species which is not preferred for charcoal making due to its hooked thorns and lighter charcoal which breaks easily during transportation. An average stand growth rate of 2.3 m3ha-1year-1 has been recorded for the re-growth miombo woodland at Kitulangalo.
Socio-economics of charcoal extraction in Tanzania: A case of eastern part of Tanzania.
(CHAPOSA, 2007) Monela, G. C.; Zahabu, E.; Malimbwi, R. E.; Jambiya, G.; Misana, S.
A socio-economic study was conducted in 1999 in the eastern part of Tanzania covering woodlands in charcoal potential areas of Kitulangalo,Mbwewe and Bana which lie in the miombo woodlands. The purpose of the study was to assess socio-economic factors related to charcoal extraction in the study area. Data were collected by a household survey using structured questionnaire, interviews, focussed discussions and participant observation. Results show that there have been substantial immigration of people into charcoal potential areas in search for employment by engaging in charcoal extraction. Most of these people are from distant ethnic groups who have been retrenched in urban centres and in consequence have decided to settle in these areas. Even indigenous inhabitants who have been stricken by poverty and thus have low income and limited access to alternative energy sources have been forced to find refuge in charcoal extraction for employment and income. Thus poverty seems to be the prominent factor compelling people to engage in charcoal extraction. Most of the charcoal is locally and extracted by traditional often inefficient earth-kilns using simple implements and household labour. Urban –based charcoal dealers are the main buyers and sometimes employ local people to produce charcoal for them for sale in urban centres. There is a lucrative charcoal trade between producers and urban traders rendering the often regarded minor forest product a source of livelihood and income to many people. The huge number of preferred species available in the area and many producers has made the price of charcoal relatively low to the disadvantage of producers. There is also an apparent undervaluation of charcoal hence its relative cheaper price, coupled with availability and reliable supply charcoal has been rendered a more affordable source of energy. It is concluded that with the burgeoning population, demand for charcoal will continue to rise under conditions of declining income. These factors will compel more people to extract more charcoal from dwindling woodlands. Thus as more people will engage in charcoal extraction for sale, strains on the woodlands will rise and result in further depletion of the resource base due to increasing deforestation. Intervention measures to improve efficiency in charcoal extraction are crucial. Also sustainable forest management practices involving communities need to be introduced. Furthermore affordable alternative energy sources need to be solicited.