Piloting participatory forest management using a landscape approach Dr. Sara Namirembe, Landscape Coordinator, PEMA-NatureUganda With Nasta Babirye (Consultant, CFM) Karen Faarbaek (Intern, CSO strengthening) Bruno Hugel (Consultant, GIS & Livelihoods), Leo Turyahebwa (PEMA Field Officer)

Governance Trends in Uganda ( ) Democratisation - Participatory planning and accountability - Decentralised power and benefit sharing Privatization National Slogan: Gifted by Nature Impact on Forest Governance National Forest Policy (2001) Statement 5. community participation De-gazetting of forest reserves Decentralisation of forest management

Forest Estate Distribution (ha) and Institutional Framework TypeCentral/local forest reserves (NFA/LG) National parks and (UWA) Private/ customary land (NAADS) Total Tropical high forest 306,000267,000251,000924,000 Woodland411,000462,0003,102,0003,975,000 Plantations20,0002,00011,00033,000 Total Estate (2001) 737,000731,0003,464,0004,932,000 Source: Ministry of Water Lands and Environment Report (2001) Total Forest Estate in 2005: 3,627,000 ha

Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest status (2003) Albertine Rift, Western Uganda High biodiversity Low timber value: ~1% Class I species of > 10 cm diameter Low timber volume ~18.5 m 2 /ha basal area Degraded Game corridors

People’s relation to natural resources Regulated access to non-timber forest products & wetlands Illegal access & encroachment Conflicts - evictions and restrictions V. Low policy awareness

PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT PILOTED BY PEMA i.Landscape: Collaborative action planning ii.Grass-root: Collaborative forest management & Livelihood support

KASYOHA-KITOMI FOREST LANDSCAPE

Collaborative Landscape Action Plan Landscape coordination committee Institutions & community in natural resource management Vision-based collaborative plan for forest management in landscape Role sharing Incorporating actions In local government plans CHALLENGE: coordination & funding

Local empowerment and Capacity Building Networking and Partnerships: –Coalition of 14 local organisations - Buzenga Environment Conservation Association (BUECA) –Linkage to EMPAFORM, Kamusiime & LCC Policy Awareness: village meetings, radio, drama Exposure visit Training: community and NFA

Collaborative Forest Management Negotiation of collaborative forest management plan and agreement Power relations –NFA vs community –Within the community

PROVISIONS FOR BENEFIT SHARING THE BETTER OFF Leasing bare forest patches Licensing for commercial logging Sawlog scheme THE POOR Regulated access to non-timber forest products Support for livelihoods (agroforestry, apiary)

Conclusion & Way forward 1.PFM in forest reserves Strengthen Capacity - Government & Community Increase community stake Diversify: Livelihoods, Payment for ecosystem services e.g. Ecotourism HOWEVER – low potential per capita benefit 2.PFM in landscape: Coordinate CAP implementation 3.Research

Thank You