NRM - NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

In the southern Udzungwa Mountains Raleigh Tanzania works alongside project partner TFCG (Tanzania Forest Conservation Group) on a long term NRM project. The project is designed to raise awareness among local communities of the importance of sustainable forest management and to protect and conserve Tanzania’s forests. First they establish a number of tree nurseries in each village before clearing and working the land. Next they plant the seeds which will eventually be maintained in a tree nursery until planting season. Beyond this Raleigh works with community members to establish a long-term care plan for the seedlings so that they are protected throughout their life cycle.

The village of Iyegeya, located in the mountains of Mufundi, is part of the NRM program. Tree felling in the area is a major problem as timber is used for most things such as building and for charcoal, which is used for cooking. To combat this issue teams work alongside the local community to fill and care for 150,000 seedling tubes, which will be transplanted to local farms before growing into full size pine trees. Lessons are also delivered at the Iyegeya primary school. As the main livelihood in the area is timber, lessons cover topics such as climate protection and sustainable farming, as well as alternative livelihood options such as fishing and bee keeping.