INSTITUTIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Rationale

Improvement of the overall sectoral performance and service delivery in forestry operations at all levels is imperative. Inadequate legal and regulatory framework and functioning institutional set up that provides for clear mandates between the MNRT, PO-RALG and related institutions and organizations for cross-sectoral linkages require improvement in light of the advocated gender sensitive participatory management. Facilitation and provision of institutional frameworks, forest management incentive structure in terms of cost and benefit sharing under participatory management in decentralized system, human and financial resources are essential.

Objectives and indicators

The programme objectives and indicators are given in the Box below:

Priorities

Priority setting regarding human resources development and institutions is meant to guide on critical areas to support implementation of other development programmes. The decentralized forest management involving local governments, private sector and communities can only be successful if there will be an institutional change including strong human capacity building. Five top priority sub-programmes for implementation in this programme are:

1. Strengthening Institutional Set up, Sectoral Coordination and Cooperation
2. Human Resources Capacity Building
3. Forest Financing
4. Strengthening Extension Services and Awareness Creation in Forest Management
5. Forestry Research

Sub programmes

Strengthening Institutional Set up, Sectoral Co-ordination and Cooperation

Forest management draws the participation of different stakeholders ranging from local and international partners. Priority will be in developing mechanism for adequate sectoral and inter- sectoral co-ordination and consultation of stakeholders in planning and management of forest resources as well as regional and international co-operation in implementation of Sustainable Forest Management. Future forest management will require integrated planning to accommodate the different roles played by different actors. Priority will be placed in providing for adequate consultation of stakeholders in planning and management of forest resources. Inter- sectoral coordination, through formal fora and other mechanisms will be developed especially in costs and benefits sharing among stakeholders in cross-setoral areas such as watershed management and ecosystem conservation. Interpretation and implementation of international initiatives and agreements will be an area of focus here to ensure that the country taps resources and opportunities under these initiatives.

There is weak institutional linkage and unclear mandates between the central and local levels, NGOs, local communities and the private sector on conservation and management of forest ecosystems. The forest and trade legislation for wood and non-wood forest products are unharmonized. Priority will be to streamline mandates of institutions involved in forestland management, ecosystem conservation and prepare modalities for stakeholders’ consultations.. The forest related trade legislations that are currently under different institutions will be harmonized through intersectoral consultations.

Human Resources Capacity Building

There is inadequate human resource capacity to implement forestry programmes at divisional level and more so at local government levels. This has been aggravated by poor working conditions for civil servants in terms of adequate training, facilities and remuneration. The spread of HIV/AIDS in the country has also led to a decline in number of male and female forest staff. Priority in this component will be assessment, recruitment of competent gender proportionate staff as well as training. The sector will promote awareness in collaboration with other stakeholders in terms of instituting behavioural change to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.

As decentralization, privatization and institutional reforms continue, providing adequate extension services to all stakeholders with regard to Sustainable Forest Management as well as awareness raising, involvement of all stakeholders and consideration of gender aspects in the National Forest and Beekeeping Programme will be a priority. The ongoing reforms both at central and local governments will form a basis for strengthening future forest management in terms of establishment of executive agencies and efficient local governments. For the artisanal wood-based industry, there are also inadequate skills. FBD will work in close collaboration with different institutions to develop curricula and skills for the artisanal wood-based industry.

Forest Financing

Forestry management and development has been inadequately financed including research and training institutions, investment and development of forest based industry and products, funding of biodiversity conservation and sustainable management. On the other hand, there has been poor administration and management of revenue collection from forest resources.

Priority action will be to develop mechanisms for increasing investments in forestry-based industry through involvement of the private sector, tapping financial sources for forest conservation through local and international opportunities for biodiversity conservation under the CBD and CCD. One important example in this regard is the recently established Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund, based in Morogoro which is working with local forest edge communities around priority forest areas for long term conservation. An additional priority will also be placed in strengthening internal financing through improvements in local revenue collection and establishment of funding mechanisms such as "Basket Funding", "Forest Fund" etc as identified under the Financing Strategy.

Strengthening Extension Services and Awareness Creation in Forest Management

This component will focus on strengthening extension services to all stakeholders to ensure effective involvement in terms of creating awareness on the forest policy and legislation for SFM. Promoting gender awareness and involvement of sections of the society in forest programmes will also be emphasized making use of indigenous knowledge on management and uses of forest resources at local level. Effective political support will be required for NFBKP implementation, which will need awareness creation for politicians and decision-makers. This is done by preparing and disseminating information packages for politicians on the role of forestry as well as carrying out strategic educative workshops with politicians.

Forestry Research

Forest research has been limited in spectrum and diversity. Emphasis has been on the development of the management of commonly used species and popular ecosystems like the high montane forests for biological and ecosystems conservation. Priority will be to develop adequate financing in research that will allow for nation-wide coverage in the forest sector and provide adequate knowledge in forestland management and ecosystems conservation. Also dissemination of research findings and conducting applied research need be improved. The National Forest Research Master Plan (NAFORM) will be integrated to serve the purposes of NFBKP.

Policy Analysis, Planning and Monitoring

Sustainable Forest Management will rely on updated and adequate laws, regulations and guidelines. Priority actions will build capacity for systematic policy analysis, strategic planning and forest laws and regulations’ analyses and review. Also to establish a framework for formulation and review of the respective instruments taking care of all management approaches. Setting National Criteria and Indicators for sustainable forest management is an inherent requirement for effective forest development.

Forest Resources Valuation

There is poor understanding on the value of forest ecosystem products and services in terms of both tangible and intangible values. Priority will be to conduct special studies for valuation of both tangible and intangible forest products and services and incorporation of biodiversity and other values into the national accounting system.