Dorah Mbogo
Other projects
29 Apr 2019
Capacity Building for Conservation: Empowering Local Conservation Leaders in Communities around Ruvu-South Coastal Forest, Tanzania
28 May 2020
Conservation of Endangered Anthus Sokokensis through Community-Based Revegetation Program in Ruvu-South Coastal Forest Reserve, Tanzania
Ruvu-South Coastal Forest Reserve is part of the Indian Ocean Coastal Forest Ecoregion Biodiversity Hot Spot. IUCN and BirdLife International recognize the Reserve as important Bird Area in Tanzania East Coastal Forests. The Reserve provides ecological habitat for Anthus sokokensis bird which is endangered according to IUCN List of Threatened Species. However the species is under risk of extinction due to habitat degradation caused by poor forest management and over exploitation. To save the bird from extinction, conservation actions to reduce cutting of Brachystegia trees and intensive charcoal burning are highly recommended. The project will build capacity to Forest Reserve Management and surrounding communities on restoring birds’ habitat using participatory management and gender-responsive approaches. Also alternative income generating activities through Women Economic Groups will be facilitated to reduce reliance and exploitation of forest resources for subsistence livelihood.
The project will conduct Sokoke Pipit bird census to establish the current population size in the study site, of which according to IUCN Red List of threatened species, the birds’ population in Ruvu-Coastal Forest Reserve is not known. The project will also assess the conditions of forest floor which is a critical ecological habitat for the endangered Sokoke bird. Information on forest floor alterations, modifications, rate of forest exploitation, density and distribution of Brachystegia tree species will be examined using standard forest survey methods.
Based on the information obtained from population survey and habitat assessment, three days forest management capacity building workshop will be designed and conducted for Village leaders, Reserve managers, District Forest Officers and Tanzania Forest Service zonal officials. The main theme of the workshop will be Serving Sokoke Bird in Ruvu-South: Threats and Way Forward. Experts from BirdLife International, Department of Community development and gender of the Kisarawe district council will be invited to facilitate the workshop.
The project will raise community awareness on forest biodiversity, sustainable ecosystem management and gender based nature conservation of Sokoke bird. Adjacent local communities will be invited for the meetings with the aim to reduce forest illegal activities like, encroachment for agriculture, pit sawing, pole cutting and charcoal burning, which are the big threats to the conservation of biodiversity and ecological habitat of the endangered bird species in the reserve.
Lastly, conservation-based Women Economic Groups will be formed in each village to support alternative ways for local people to make a living so as to reduce dependency and exploitation pressure over the forest reserve. Selection of group members will base on socio economic status and marginalization of community member. Groups will be trained on basic entrepreneurship skills and supported to establish tree nurseries, fish cultivating, and beekeeping and poultry activities.