Community Perceptions and Willingness to Accept and Execute REDD+ Initiative: The Case of Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves, Tanzania

Abstract

The study examined community perceptions and willingness to accept and execute Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative at Pugu and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves (PKFRs) in the course of addressing the overriding problem of climate change. The survey was conducted in two villages’ i.e. Kisarawe and Kazimzumbwi adjacent to PKFRs. A total of 110 respondents were randomly selected with a sampling intensity of 10%. Key informants interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews using a questionnaire administered to selected community members were the major techniques used in data collection. Regarding community perceptions and acceptability of the REDD+ initiative, the study revealed low level of acceptance (16.2%), which was highly attributed to low level of awareness on the initiative. Poor governance and poor community involvement in REDD+ activities were highly ranked as REDD+ perceived problems. Lack of livelihood options was observed to be constraining factor behind community support to the initiative. The study concludes that, for the success and sustainability of REDD+ initiative at PKFRs, robust livelihood options like training the community on how to make charcoal out of dry leaves are needed to be crafted at the shoes of the community in line with educating the community on the rationality of the initiative in their locality.