National Forest Programme 2001-2010.

The National Forest Programme (NFP) for 2001-2010 is based on four implementation programmes that cover both forest resources management as well as institutional and human resources development aspects. The programmes are: 1) Forest Resources Conservation and Management programme aiming at promoting gender balanced stakeholders participation in the management of natural and plantation forests, giving priority to ecosystems conservation, catchment areas and sustainable utilization of forest resources; 2) Institutions and Human Resources Development programme aiming at strengthening institutional set up, coordination of forest management, establishing sustainable forest sector funding and improvement in research, extension services and capacity building through strengthening human resources; 3) Legal and Regulatory Framework programme focusing on the development of regulatory issues including the Forest Act, rules, regulations and guidelines to facilitate operations of the private sector and participatory management, and 4) Forestry Based Industries and Sustainable Livelihoods programme aiming to enhance forest industry development by promoting private sector investment, improving productivity and efficiency and to tap the income generation opportunities provided by non-wood products.
The goal of NFP is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources to meet local, national and global needs. The NFP aims to achieve this through fostering national and international partnerships to manage, protect and restore forest resources and land production. The Forestry and Beekeeping Division (FBD) of the Ministry of National Resources and Tourism (MNRT) embarked on the formulation of the National Forest Programme in January 2000 with the aim of: (i) establishing an instrument to put the National Forest Policy of 1998 and related legislation into practice taking all relevant macro-economic and sectoral reforms/policy changes in the country into account (ii) operationalizing the commitments and obligations derived from international agreements and intergovernmental processes. Eco-tourism is considered as one of the alternative uses of natural forests, which has low negative impacts to the ecosystem. It is a potential source of income and revenue for the government and communities living adjacent to natural forests, as well as to private sector (tour operators, hotels etc.) that could render services to tourism. Especially natural forests with high biodiversity values and scenic beauty are considered to provide potential for ecotourism.
The ultimate goal (“NFP vision”) of the NFP process in Tanzania is to reduce poverty and increase economic growth by managing forests sustainably without compromising environmental and cultural values. Forestry sector, just as many other land use sectors, has both vertical and horizontal relationships with other sectors, institutions and organizations. Sustainable forest management is impacted by a number of cross-sectoral issues both at management and institutional levels, which require new partnerships to find new innovative solutions. Cross sectoral implications and partnerships are: Participatory Forest Management and Gender Mainstreaming; Biodiversity Conservation and Water Resources Management; Land Use Issues; Technology Development and Energy; Infrastructure; Creating an Enabling Environment for Private Sector Involvement.