NATIONAL FOREST AND BEEKEEPING PROGRAMME
Tanzania is endowed with large and valuable forest resources. Recent studies indicate that forest-based income accounts for a large share of rural income in the country. Forest related goods and services have a significant potential for the economic development of the country.
At the same time, Tanzania is facing serious environmental degradation problems. Among the most important ones are deforestation and forest degradation. For a long time, the Government of Tanzania has attempted to curb the problem of deforestation by promoting village and community forestry aimed at producing sufficient amount of forest products and services to meet both local demands and promote the forests contribution to global environmental conservation. Despite these efforts, environmental degradation continues at a fast rate. This is partly due to unsustainable land-uses such as shifting agriculture, but more so because of the relationship between environmental degradation and poverty in attempts to satisfy basic needs. The consequences have been loss of biodiversity and general decline of forest products and services such as fuelwood, and water catchment values.
The Government of Tanzania has realised that a more comprehensive approach was needed to ensure sustainable forest management in the country. Also recognizing the broad and cross-sectoral linkages between the forestry and other sectors, the National Forest Programme (NFP) was prepared in 2001 taking into consideration macro-economic and social policy developments related to land-based resources such as land, environment, water, energy and agriculture. The NFP is an instrument for implementing the National Forest Policy approved in 1998 towards sustainable management of her forest resources. The National Beekeeping Programme was prepared at the same time, as an instrument for implementing the National Beekeeping Policy (also approved in 1998). These two programmes have now been combined into the National Forest and Beekeeping Programme (NFBKP) which runs from 2001 - 2010.
The NFBKP has been prepared through broad based consultations at local and national levels with key stakeholders of related sectors and institutions as well as development partners. The Tanzanian Government acknowledges the contribution of each and every one in this commendable initiative. We are grateful to all local and international specialists who put extra input during the preparation of the Programme. We appeal for continued gender balanced participation and support during the implementation.
It should be stressed that the success of the implementation of this Programme depends on active participation of all stakeholders both local and the international community. The active participation, cooperation and follow up by our development partners in the preparation phase gives us confidence on the interest and willingness to support its implementation.
The NFBKP reflects the two parent policies through its five sub programmes:
- Forest Conservation & Management
- Institutions & Human Resources
- Legal & Regulatory Framework
- Forest Based Industries & Sustainable Livelihoods
- Beekeeping Development
More on each of these sub programmes can be found by clicking on them, or by following the sub-menu links to the left.