“This study examines the relationship between poverty and deforestation around
the gazetted forests of Kazimzumbwi, Pugu, Mabwe Pande, Kongowe and Pongwe in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions. It examines pressure exerted on the reserved forests by the nearby population and economic forces in the surrounding towns. The research findings show that, there is a profound and vicious-cycle between poverty and deforestation in the studied areas. Low-income people dominate
the studied areas, where there is low investment in human capital (the majority
of the people did not complete even the primary school education). As a result,
there is low productivity in economic activities. Agriculture, for example is
done using poor methods such as slashing, burning, and shifting cultivation. Many people in the surveyed areas have limited alternative, hence tend to rely on easily accessible forest resources to earn a living. Incomes from forest related
activities seem to be stable and double the household income. Such a situation
accelerates deforestation, which subsequently reduces resources available to the society.”
