TFCG, PEMA: South Nguru Mountains


	Site Details
	Location: South Nguru Mountains, Mvomero District, Morogoro Region. Area: 34,000 ha of lowland, submontane and montane forest. Biodiversity: 9 strictly endemic vertebrate species, 23 Eastern Arc endemic vertebrates and 27 vertebrate species with ranges in the Eastern Arc, Coastal forests and / or the Southern Highlands. Status: Threatended by logging, fire and cultivation.

	Nguru Mountains.
	Pitsawing operation.
	School children from Nguru area.
	Saintpaulia.

Participatory Environmental Management in the South Nguru Mountains PEMA

Participatory Forest Management

Creating a vision for an extraordinary landcape

Since 2004 the Tanzania Forest Conservation Group have been supporting the conservation of the South Nguru Mountains. During that time, scientists working with TFCG have revealed at least seven new vertebrate species endemic to these mountains. TFCG’s work has also highlighted the plight of these forests including widespread illegal logging, hunting and forest clearance. By bringing stakeholders together and with support from the Government of Denmark, TFCG have helped local communities, government and private sector to develop a vision for the landscape and a strategy as to how that vision can be achieved. TFCG, working in partnership with local stakeholders and with financial support from the European Union, is now supporting the implementation of that strategy.

The South Nguru Landscape

The project area covers 34000 ha of Eastern Arc montane, submontane and lowland forest. Communities living immediately adjacent to the forests are predominantly small holder farmers growing bananas, yams, cardamom, cocoa and some maize. Approximately 46,000 people live within 5 km of the forest. In the lowlands there is the largest sugar plantation in Tanzania which has also drawn people into the area.

Biological Importance

The South Ngurus have nine strictly endemic vertebrate species and 23 Eastern Arc endemic vertebrates. There are at least 53 Eastern Arc endemic species of plant in the South Nguru Mountains including an African violet species that is endemic to the South Ngurus.

TFCG's Conservation Activities

TFCG’s aim for the area has been to improve the livelihood security of poor, natural resource dependent households and for the biodiversity and environmental services of national and international importance to be conserved. Innovative approaches have been developed and implemented for a landscape approach to the sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity-rich forests, emphasizing the role of civil society in promoting more equitable sharing of benefits between the rural poor and wealthier interest groups at national and international level.

Working in parternships

TFCG’s work in the South Nguru Mountains has been achieved through a close partnership with CARE International in Tanzania, the Forest and Beekeeping Division and local Government.

Reports

Boesen, J. K. Raben, Z. Akello, M. Kidoido and D. Lopa 2006. South Nguru landscape and Kasyoha-Kitomi, Uganda: towards Monitoring of Poverty, Livelihoods & Knowledge-Attitude & Practices. Impacts of PEMA. TFCG. 77 pp (pdf 1.0MB)

Bracebridge, C. (2006). Mkindo Forest Reserve: forest disturbance report. Tanzania Forest Conservation Group. 72pp (pdf 1.4MB)

Raben, K., J. Nyingi, D. Loserian, Z. Akellow and M. Kidoido 2006. Identifying local stakeholders in forest landscapes: understanding the use of ecological goods in the Kasyoha-Kitomi Landscape, Uganda and the Nguru South Landscape, Tanzania. TFCG. 32pp (pdf 590KB)

TFCG, 2006. Nguru South Landscape: initial characterization report. TFCG. 62pp (pdf 1.1MB)

TFCG, 2006. People and forests in the South Nguru Landscape. TFCG. 34pp (pdf 1.4MB)

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