Influence of REDD+ Pilot Project on Livelihoods of Mangrove Forest Adjacent Communities in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract

Climate change is affecting livelihoods of people and environment people live in. The policy to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation plus role of conservation, sustainable forest management, and forest carbon stock enhancement (REDD+) has been promoted in developing countries to address climate change impacts and to provide incentives against deforestation. Zanzibar has been involved in piloting REDD+ project between 2010 and 2014. This study was designed to assess influence of REDD+ project on livelihoods in Zanzibar. Questionnaire survey and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Content analysis and descriptive statistical analyses were used in data analysis. The study revealed that all livelihood capitals were significantly improved and this was associated with implementation of REDD+ project. Financial incentives that were given to each village by the project helped to stimulate economic development and conservation of mangrove forests for carbon credit. The project had promoted participatory process in forest management. It was recommended that long-term projects intending to provide financial support to local communities to initiate alternative income-generating activities have to do so at the beginning of project implementation time. This will enable the project proponent to have enough time to monitor implementation of the project activities.