Abstract:
Climate change poses challenge to the global society. Different measures have
been set off in an attempt to address the problem. Among the recent adopted
options is the “Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation”
(REDD+). However, little evidence exists on how options such as REDD+ may
impact on forest-dependent communities. Drawing evidences from a forest dependant community in Kilosa, this study reveals the impact of REDD+ on
community access and benefit from forest resources. The study used a
qualitative approach to investigate local people’s perceptions of REDD+. About
33 respondents comprising village members, local leaders and forest managers
were interviewed. Results from this study indicate that, REDD+ has limited the
ways village members used to access and benefit from forest resources and
therefore jeopardized their wellbeing. This study concludes that any measure
taken to improve forest management should take into consideration forest dependent communities’ contextual situation in order to enhance the wellbeing
of community members.
