Browsing by Author "Monela, G. C."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Charcoal potential of Mombo woodlands at kitungalo, Tanzania
(Forest Research Institute Malaysia, 2005-04-01) Malimbwi, R. E.; Zahabu, E.; Monela, G. C.; Misana, S.; Jambiya, G. C.; Mchome, B.
A study was carried out to determine the charcoal potential of the miombo woodlands of Kitulangalo area, near Morogoro, Tanzania. Systematic sampling design used in an inventory in 1996 was repeated in 1999 in order to determine the general current stand parameters and forest change. A total of 46 sample plots were laid out in the forest reserve. In adjacent public lands stratified random sampling was applied where a total of 30 plots were laid out. The layout was meant to study how species richness and wood stocking vary in public lands and forest reserve. Preferred tree species for charcoal making had standing wood volume of 24.5 m 3 ha- 1 and 56.5 m 3 ha-' in public lands and reserved forest respectively with corresponding basal area of 3.7 m 2 ha-' and 7.2 m2 ha- 1 . Stem numbers were 909 stems ha- 1 in public lands and 354 stems ha-'in the reserved forest. These values indicated more regeneration in public lands following disturbance than in the forest reserve. The weight of charcoal that can be extracted from the woodland at the roadside was 56 kg, equivalent to only one bag of charcoal per hectare. Similarly 54 bags may be extracted at 5 km distance while 125 bags may be extracted from beyond 10 km from the highway. With the established stand growth rate of 2.3 m 3 ha- 1 year-1' for the regrowth of miombo woodland at Kitulangalo, it will take about 8 to 15 years for the degraded woodlands to recover for charcoal production. Therefore, for sustainable charcoal production in this area, felling cycles of 8 to 15 years are recommended, provided the minimum tree size of > 10 cm dbh (diameter at breast height) for charcoal making is observed.
Conflicts and their management in the use of Miombo woodlands in selected areas of Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2008) Mvena, Z. S.; Monela, G. C.; Kajembe, G. C.; Ngaga, Y. M.
Miombo woodlands are increasingly becoming major centres of conflicts due to a variety of causes such as growing populations of both humans and livestock. Research in the area of conflicts in the use of miombo woodlands is more of a recent phenomenon in the wake of these new challenges on natural resource use. This paper is based on research findings from three sites in Tanzania aimed at exploring the nature of conflicts related to the use of miombo woodlands and how these conflicts are managed or resolved. The findings show that the key players in these conflicts are at three levels involving the regulators, the commercial sector, and the local communities. Conflicts involving these parties are complex within and between these parties. Also these conflicts generally differ from site to site due to differences in the factors that generate these conflicts. Factors such as population pressure, economic activities, institutional arrangements, a changing value system and policies, poverty and general awareness on the part of both the local communities and outsiders greatly influence their nature and intensity. Although there are several avenues existing towards conflict management, our experiences from the three sites reveal that only two mechanisms are used across sites. The paper concludes by suggesting areas for further research and the need to have more dynamic policies that accommodate changing situations.
Empowering communities to manage natural resources: where does the new power lie? A case study of Duru – Haitemba, Babati, Tanzania
(SUA, 2000) Kajembe, G. C.; Monela, G. C.
Recent approaches to community – based natural resource management appear diverse as their varied implementing agencies and natural resource settings; yet they rest on a set of common assumptions about community, natural resources and the relationship between them. This paper focuses on power relations between actors and how these set the framework for resource management in Duru – Haitemba. As one of the few remain ing tracts of miombo woodlands, Duru – Haitemba woodlands had been targeted for gazettement. However the exercise faced “local discontent”. The discontent has its origin in the “generalised narrative”. Before the coming of colonial powers the community lived in balanced harmony with nature. But when this harmony was disrupted, it led to disequilibria and hence degradation. A range of factors may be called to account, including: technological change; the breakdown of traditional authority; social change; urban aspirations and the intrusion of inappropriate state policies. What is required is to bring community and environment back into harmony. This requires either the discovery and rebuilding of traditional collective resource management institutions or their replacement by new ones. At the local level there are two factions competing for power: the elites and the traditionalists. The primary concern of traditionalists is “ritual”. Elites tend to hijack community based processes and forcefully occupying the political space opened by decentralization. Besides of the power struggles at the micro level another challenge is on the part of the government leadership at the macro level. Government officials usually have very mixed feelings about community actions. Increasingly though, these officials have come to realize that community action can substitute for the expensive need to put government officials into the field. The paper points out the fact that, community-based natural resource management seems plausible way to cut down public costs of managing resources. However, it remains an arena of power struggle between three actors: Local Communities, Field Agents and Supervisors. This “triangle” of relationships constitute the social arena marking out the actual “locale” of community based natural resource management in Duru – Haitemba.
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.