The role of communities in sustainable land and forest management: The case of Nyanga, Zvimba and Guruve districts of Zimbabwe

Jamba

Diego Matsvange¹ 

关键词: Forest benefits;    sustainability;    livelihoods;    farmer field schools;   

DOI  :  10.4102/jamba.v8i3.281

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: African Centre for Disaster Studies

【 摘 要 】

Forest benefit analysis is vital in ensuring sustainable community-based natural resourcesmanagement. Forest depletion and degradation are key issues in rural Zimbabwe and strategiesto enhance sustainable forest management are continually sought. This study was carried outto assess the impact of forests on communities from Nyanga, Guruve and Zvimba districts ofZimbabwe. It is based on a Big Lottery Fund project implemented by Progressio-UK andEnvironment Africa. Itfocuses on identifying replicable community forest and landmanagementstrategies and the level of benefits accruing to the community. Analysis of change was based onthe Income and Food Security and Forest benefits, which also constitutes the tools used duringthe research. The study confirms the high rate of deforestation and the increased realisation bycommunities to initiate practical measures aimed at protecting and sustaining forest and landresources from which they derive economic and social benefits. The results highlight the valueof community structures (Farmer Field Schools and Environmental Action Groups) as conduitsfor natural resource management. The interconnectivity among forests, agricultural systemsand the integral role of people are recognised as key to climate change adaptation. Keywords:Forest benefits; sustainability,;livelihoods; farmer field schools

【 授权许可】

CC BY