Belachew Gizachew Zeleke
Research Scientist
Abstract
Tanzania dedicates a substantial proportion (38%) of its territory to conservation, with a large number of Protected Areas (PAs) managed under various regimes. Nevertheless, the country still experiences high rates of deforestation, which threaten the ecological integrity and socio-economic benefits of its forests. We utilized the Global Forest Change Dataset (2012–2022) and implemented a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach followed by a series of binomial logit regression modeling. Our objectives were to evaluate (1) the likelihood of PAs in avoiding deforestation compared with unprotected forest landscapes, (2) the variability in effectiveness among the different PA management regimes in avoiding deforestation, (3) evidence of leakage, defined here as the displacement of deforestation beyond PA boundaries as a result of protection inside PAs. Our findings reveal that, despite ongoing deforestation within and outside of PAs, conservation efforts are, on average, three times more likely to avoid deforestation compared with unprotected landscapes. However, the effectiveness of avoiding deforestation significantly varies among the different management regimes. National Parks and Game Reserves are nearly ten times more successful in avoiding deforestation, likely because of the stringent set of regulations and availability of resources for implementation. Conversely, Nature Forest Reserves, Game Controlled Areas, and Forest Reserves are, on average, only twice as likely to avoid deforestation, indicating substantial room for improvement. We found little evidence of the overall leakage as a consequence of protection. These results highlight the mixed success of Tanzania’s conservation efforts, suggesting opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of many less protected PAs. We conclude by proposing potential strategic pathways to enhance further the climate and ecosystem benefits of conservation in Tanzania.
Authors
Belachew Gizachew ZelekeAbstract
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Authors
Belachew Gizachew ZelekeAbstract
We present an innovative value chain on upscaling and commercial production of carbonized bio-briquettes from agro-industrial waste (mainly a sugarcane bagasse), that aims at substituting a forest-based charcoal for household consumption and thus reduce deforestation. We demonstrate the three main pillars of the value-chain: (1). Empowering and capacity building of members of the cooperatives (mainly women), through developing technical skills, using and maintaining technologies and tools, ergonomics and safety, businesses and marketing. (2). Innovative locally built biowaste to biofuel conversion technologies. This are technologies for raw material (biowaste) preparation (transport, drying and storage), locally developing carbonization kilns of high efficiency and commercial volume, biochar production, selection of bio-based binders, local fabrication of briquetting machines, production of briquettes, drying and storage of briquettes. This section demonstrates (using videos and pictures) on how a daily briquettes production of 3-tons is achieved, with briquette qualities comparable to that of wood-based charcoal. We also demonstrate production of custom-made cookstoves for briquettes by modifying existing local cookstoves. Further, we demonstrate the amount of avoided deforestation through such innovative local approaches. (3). Business and market development: This aims at bringing green-jobs to villages in sustainable supply, distribution, and sales of clean locally produced bio-briquettes. The program enables capacity building of members of the cooperatives in business and marketing; building partnership with key market segments and cooperation with private sector such as distributors, consumers, lenders and banks. The complete value-chain is a result of a successful development and partnership program (2018-2021) supported by the government of Norway that involved Kenyan national institutions, local community cooperatives and international partners.