Improved Forest management for Sustainable livelihood Project brief

Degradation of Natural Resources including the ways in which food is produced impacts future climate and sustainability of forests and landscapes in Zambia. Therefore, Zambia like many other countries is concerned about sustainable use and management of its natural resources which also includes forests and general environment. Zambia, as a developing country is highly dependent on the exploitation of natural resources for the livelihood of its people. Since the early 1980, Zambia has witnessed rapid degradation of its biological resources due to over exploitation which has been caused by a decline in the general socio-economic situation of the country. The major biological resources that have been negatively affected are forests, wildlife, and fish.

Recently, however, due to the rapid increase in population in Zambia, has resulted in an increased pressure on land, causing a substantial degradation of the forests and vegetation cover, with deforestation rates being as high as between 250,000 to 300,000 hectares per year (ILUA 2005-2008). Annual productivity of regenerating woodland is estimated at 2.5t per ha of which 40% is hard wood suitable for charcoal. The rapid degradation of the forest’s woodland ecosystem is a global concern and one of the major causes of climate change. Many physical and biological systems are being affected by climate changes around the world, this situation has aggravated the problem of poverty in Zambia resulting in a vicious cycle of environmental degradation and financial destitution.

To respond to these challenges, Rising Fountains Development Program with funding from the Ministry for foreign affairs of Finland, Civil Society Environment Fund (CSEF2) in partnership with Zambia Forestry College, Forestry department and the community, will be implementing an Improved Forests Management for Sustainable Livelihood Project (IFMSLP)

The overall objective of this project is to significantly address environmental and natural resources management issues at stake such as decreased biodiversity, soil degradation, effects of climate change, Water scarcity and flooding, social consequences and GHG Emissions. 

Project Outcomes

1. Increased biodiversity, environmental restoration, and tree cover
2. Increased incomes from the economic activities pursued such as selling of Non timber forest products (Honey, Mushroom).
3. Local forest governance and community-based forest management on customary land enhanced,

This will be achieved through; building the knowledge and capacities of 417 households with skills in sustainable forest management, including apiculture for income generation and livelihood improvements, leading to increased incomes, enhanced Local Forest governance and community-based forest management, Increased biodiversity, environmental restoration, and tree cover in Lundazi, Lumezi and Chasefu District in Eastern Zambia.

Expected project Results.

The project is expected to make the following positive changes on the target group and the communities:

1. Improved Livelihoods of rural communities depending on forests and non-forests products contributing to the reduction of poverty and enabling community members to meet their basic social and economic needs.
2. Ecological, social and economic interactions among different parts of the landscape are managed to seek positive synergies among interests and actors and reduce negative trade-offs.
3. Sustainable Joint Forest Management (SJFM) promoted, contributing to enhanced Local Forest governance and community-based forest management.
4. 100 ha of degraded forests regenerated, and 50 ha of forest lands afforested contributing to Health biodiversity of plant and animal life.
5. Increased incomes from the economic activities pursued such as selling of Non timber forest products (Honey and Mushroom).
6. Increased household assets from improved income levels. Assets may include housing, animals, bicycle etc.
7. Increased carbon sinks and storage hence giving more tCO2 sequestered /ha/year giving communities an opportunity to benefit from carbon trade.
8. Enhanced awareness and access to better, consistent, and timely information on stocks and flows of forest resources.
9. Improved and economical Land uses through developed land use plan.