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Contents

eyeball Country profile
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eyeball Biological significance
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eyeball Conservation threats
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eyeball WWF involvement
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eyeball Achievements
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eyeball Scholarships
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eyeball Udzungwa mountains National Park
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eyeball Environmental education - TEEP
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eyeball Ruaha National Park
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eyeball Conservation of lowland coastal forests
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eyeball Mafia island marine park blue line
header: Tanzania


CONSERVATION OF LOWLAND COASTAL FORESTS

Charcoal seller (Project T20056)

The lowland coastal forests harbour unique and diverse flora and fauna which provide a variety of forest products for local communities. Coastal forests are under threat from human activities such as shifting cultivation, fuelwood collection, pole cutting, charcoal production, timber extraction, bush fires, and mining.

The two main aims of the project are the protection and the development of sustainable alternatives to the current over-exploitation of forest resources. This project deals with the conservation of the remaining patches of lowland forest in the coastal region of eastern Tanzania. Out of 39 recognised coastal forests, WWF is currently supporting initiatives in four of those identified as conservation priorities by the Forestry Department: Zaraninge, Vikindu, Kazimzumbwi, and Pugu.

The project will continue with agroforestry and extension activities around the forests of Zaraninge and Vikindu, lobbying for Zaraninge to be officially gazetted as a forest reserve, producing extension materials, training nursery workers, and providing equipment and infrastructure for forest guards.

Phase II of this project, which began in July 1996, will expand operations to the Matumbi Massif and the Mlola forest on Mafia Island.